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OneFootball
Padraig Whelan·23 July 2023
đ Sweden strike at the death to break South African hearts
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OneFootball
Padraig Whelan·23 July 2023
Sweden came from behind and netted a last gasp winner to overcome South Africa in their WWC opener on Sunday.
Scorers: Rolfö 67âČ, Ilestedt 90âČ; Magaia 48âČ
The Scandinavian side have competed in more games than any other nation at the WWC without winning it and were frustrated throughout an opening half in which they saw more of the ball but could do little with it.
They became exasperated further three minutes after half-time when the Banyana Banyana took the lead through Hildah Magaia for her countryâs first World Cup goal.
Thembi Kgatlanaâs pace in getting to a ball she seemed second favourite for proved decisive, allowing her to flash behind the Swedish defence and get off a shot which was parried into the path of Magaia who bundled in from close range.
But they were pegged back 20 minutes later when a cross from the right was met by a miscued Lebohang Ramalepe clearance and the ball ricocheted off Fridolina Rolfö behind her and into the far corner for a an equaliser.
History was made in the closing stages when Caroline Seger came off the bench to become the second European player to take part in five Womenâs World Cups after Birgit Prinz
It still seemed that South Africa were set for a famous point until injury time when Amanda Ilestedt struck from a corner to head beyond Kaylin Swart for the winner.
Next up for them is a meeting with Italy next weekend, while South Africa face Argentina.