14,967 fans braved the elements at Sky Stadium on 2 August and witnessed another shock at this remarkable FIFA Women's World Cup Finals tournament, with South Africa coming from behind to stun 2019 quarter-finalists Italy 3-2 to advance to the knockout phase of the competition for the first time in their history. The Italians began brightly, their early pressure rewarded in the ninth minute when Karabo Dhlamini tripped Chiara Beccari just inside the penalty area. Up stepped Arianna Caruso to ram the ball home from twelve yards, affording Kaylin Swart no chance. Straight from the kick-off, Thembi Kgatlana led "Banyana Banyana"'s response, lashing a twenty-five yard rocket narrowly past Francesca Durante's right-hand post. And in the twentieth minute, her left-hand upright was rattled by Robyn Moodaly's fifteen yard firecracker after Dhlamini's cross had been laid off by Jermaine Seoposenwe. "Le Azzure" regained the upper hand after this, but out of the blue in the 32nd minute, the scores were level from a most unlikely source. Under no pressure, Benedetta Orsi didn't look before playing the ball back towards Durante, only the goalkeeper wasn't in the vicinity of her goal, and couldn't get back in time to prevent the ball from rolling into the empty net - an "oggie" of the highest order, given the circumstances of this encounter. Italy looked to hit back straight away, and very nearly did, Manuela Giugliano's corner picking out the head of Beccari, who rattled the far post with her header. Cue pinball in the South African goalmouth, with a Video Assistant Referee check required afterwards to confirm that all was legal and above board. With half-time approaching, Beccari set off at pace down the right, with Barbara Bonansea bombing through the middle in support. Alas for the team in blue, it was a B-grade cross from the speedster, which ended up nearer the corner flag than its intended target! Unlike Valentina Giacinti's dipping twenty-five yard drive on the stroke of half-time, which tested Swart severely, given the prevailing wind and rain - Wellington's weather at its finest for all the world to see! The 'keeper did well, diving forward to gather the ball before it could bounce and skid goalwards off the slick turf. The second half began in lively fashion, both goals being threatened inside the first five minutes of the half. Bongeka Gamede handled a Giacinti shot just outside the penalty area in the 48th minute, affording Lisa Boattin a great chance to restore Italy's lead with a free-kick. But she butchered it badly, much to the relief of "Banyana Banyana", for whom Bambanini Mbane struck a thirty yard free-kick in the fiftieth minute, one grabbed confidently by Durante, who launched an instant counter-attack which culminated in Swart saving from Giacinti at point-blank range after the expressive striker had been played in by Beccari. Back came South Africa, Kgatlana rattling the side-netting after her well-timed run was rewarded by a measured pass from the charging figure of Seoposenwe, an attack which sparked a spell of pressure from Desiree Ellis' charges. In the 55th minute, Kgatlana, Dhlamini and Linda Motlhalo combined to send Hildah Magaia to the by-line, from where she fired in a cross which was diverted past the near post by the fast-retreating Elena Linari. Two minutes later, Kgatlana was on the charge again, racing past two opponents and nearly a third before unleashing a ferocious drive which left Linari with a blood nose after the ball slammed into her face at point-blank range. After Durante had smothered a Seoposenwe shot at her near post, the South African star was saving the day at the other end of the park as she cleared a wickedly struck corner by Giugliano off the line on the hour. "Banyana Banyana" kept on coming, however, with Durante failing to gather a long-range effort in her area in the 65th minute, the ball breaking for Dhlamini to exploit the 'keeper's shortcomings. Alas for South Africa, her shot flew past the far post with Durante scrambling to recover the situation. Two minutes later, South Africa's pressure was rewarded with the goal which gave them the lead. Orsi's horror night continued with Seoposenwe intercepted her pass and played in Kgatlana, who cut inside before playing in Magaia. Without

breaking stride, she sent a shot arrowing across Durante and into the far corner of the net - 2-1 South Africa! And very nearly 3-1 soon after, Durante pulling off a fabulous full-length diving save low to her left to keep out Kgatlana's header from a Magaia cross, after she had worked a one-two with Seoposenwe to open up the Italian defence yet again. Seconds later, Linari's vital clearance prevented Dhlamini's low cross from causing further problems for Italy, with the South African having swept past several opponents before delivering the ball into the danger zone. Italy looked to be heading out - they needed a miracle! And they got it! Giacinti, tireless as ever in attack, earned a corner, which Giugliano delivered into the danger zone. Substitute Cristiana Girelli leapt skywards and headed the ball down before it ricocheted into the net off the hip of Caruso - 2-2 … but was there a foul in the middle of it all? The dreaded wait while the Video Assistant Referee took an eternity to review the footage - it really does kill the spontaneity and joy of the moment - but eventually the green light was given, and the Italians were back from the dead. Cue a grandstand finish, with both teams having so much to play for - a place in the last sixteen, no less. Italy's equaliser meant they held the advantage; South Africa had to score again to regain the second placing which had been theirs for just seven minutes. Add in all the delays throughout the second spell for VAR, substitutions, injuries, etc., seventeen minutes of stoppage time was added into the mix. Tense doesn't even begin to describe it! Chances were few, but Italy had the first of them in the 87th minute, and it was a golden opportunity to seal the deal. Substitute Sofia Cantore surged into the penalty area before pulling the ball back into the stride of Girelli, six yards out from goal. Swart somehow saved the effort with her legs, prompting an almighty goalmouth scramble which culminated in Cantore lashing a shot at goal which Swart grabbed greedily. She wasted little time in clearing her lines and sparking a counter-attack in which Kgatlana and Magaia combined, the latter beating one before seeing her cross deflect goalwards off Giugliano. Durante pawed the ball out from beneath her crossbar - Italy breathed again. Two minutes into stoppage time, Italian hearts stopped beating as South Africa took the lead for a second time. Magaia fed Seoposenwe on the left before racing forward in anticipation of a return pass, which duly arrived as she entered the penalty area. She side-stepped a challenge before unselfishly slipping the ball inside to Kgatlana, who swept the ball home from six yards to this crazy game on its head yet again - 3-2 South Africa, and how their fans celebrated the fact! Instantly, Italy attacked, Giacinti going desperately close to levelling the scores straight away with a superb shot on the turn which crept agonisingly past Swart's left-hand post. That was to be their last chance of note, however, and after Elisa Bartoli's timely challenge had thwarted Kgatlana when she was in full flight, referee Maria Carbajal eventually blew the final whistle, a sound which brought delight and despair alike to the respective teams. For Italy, heartbreak. Having been quarter-finalists four years ago, they had expected to go far further than the group stages this time round. This loss, allied to the hiding administered to them by Sweden four days ago, will hurt deeply, particularly for the likes of Girelli and Bonansea - her early withdrawal from this match was a surprise. This will likely be their last hurrah on the world stage - both have served "Le Azzure" well. For South Africa, however, this was historic - their first-ever win at the FIFA Women's World Cup Finals, one accompanied by a place in the knockout phase of the competition. Joy unconfined, but with it, so much humility. The African champions march on. S. Africa:     Swart; Gamede, Matlou, Mbane; Ramalepe (Makhubela, 90), Motlhalo, Moodaly (Kgoale, 46), Dhlamini (Holweni, 90); Seoposenwe, Kgatlana, Magaia (Shongwe, 90) Italy:          Durante; Di Guglielmo (Bartoli, 64), Linari, Orsi (Glionna, 90), Boattin; Giugliano, Dragoni, Caruso (Greggi, 83); Bonansea (Girelli, 64), Giacinti; Beccari (Cantore, 83) Referee:     Maria Carbajal (Chile)