DUNEDIN: In an exhilarating match at the FIFA Women's World Cup, South Africa's hopes of victory were dashed as they squandered a two-goal lead against Argentina, resulting in a 2-2 draw in Group G. The game held in Dunedin on Friday kept fans at the edge of their seats.
Both teams had experienced defeats in their opening group matches, adding to the intensity of the clash. Argentina had suffered a heart-wrenching loss to Italy due to Cristiana Girelli's last-minute heroics, while South Africa had a tough time against Sweden, who turned the tables with a 2-1 victory.
South Africa took an early lead in the 30th minute when Thembi Kgatlana cleverly outmaneuvered the offside trap, providing an excellent opportunity for Linda Motlhalo to slot the ball into the net. Celebrations were doubled in the 66th minute as Banyana Banyana regained possession and Kgatlana struck again from close range.
However, Argentina was not ready to accept defeat and mounted a remarkable comeback. Five minutes after South Africa's second goal, Sophia Braun unleashed a powerful long-range strike that found the back of the net, igniting their revival. The equalizer came when Romina Nunez skillfully directed a header into the goal, restoring parity for her team.
With this hard-fought draw, both sides have kept their hopes alive to progress to the last 16, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in their final Group G fixtures in Wellington on Saturday. The unpredictability and burstiness of this match were a testament to the captivating nature of the Women's World Cup.