South Africa 3-2 Italy: Thembi Kgatlana reveals family sorrow as Banyana Banyana march on

South Africa are into the last 16 after claiming their first Women’s World Cup win with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Italy in Wellington.

The late drama completed an emotional fortnight for the South African goalscorer.

“Over the last two weeks, I’ve lost three family members. I could have gone home but I chose to stay with my girls,” Kgatlana said.

“Because that’s how much it means.”

The Racing Louisville forward, who suffered an Achilles injury in 2022 that kept her sidelined for 10 months, added: “I came back from a very, brutal injury to be here, to play for the country, to represent every single girl that wanted to be here, to make history with the girls for South Africa.”

South Africa will play Group E winners the Netherlands on Sunday.

After earning a first World Cup point in their 2-2 draw with Argentina, the Banyana Banyana have shown significant progress from their debut appearance at the tournament in 2019, when they lost all three group matches.

There were scenes of jubilation for the South Africa players when the final whistle confirmed they had made history for their nation.

“They fought like warriors,” manager Desiree Ellis said.

“They fought like the heroines that we know that they are. They fought to be historically remembered and they’ve made history not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing.

“This victory is for everyone back home, people that got up in the early hours of the morning to support us – that is for them.”

Knowing a win would guarantee their place in the knockout rounds, Italy got off to the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty as Karabo Dhlamini caught the heels of teenager Chiara Beccari and Caruso calmly converted to put her side in command of their World Cup future.

However, South Africa were gifted a leveller as Benedetta Orsi, playing her first World Cup match, was left red-faced when she hit a no-look back pass to a surprised Francesca Durante and it rolled into her own net.

Ellis’ side burst into the lead when Kgatlana slipped a clever ball through the Italy defence to put Hildah Magaia through on goal and she lifted it over Durante.

VAR seemed like it may have come to South Africa’s rescue when Caruso equalised from a corner, but after a lengthy delay the goal was given.

A draw would have been enough to take Italy into the knockout rounds, but their hearts were broken when Magaia stepped through the defence and squared to Kgatlana, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

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