The South Africa women’s national team were denied from claiming their first point at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after Amanda Illestedt scored a 90th minute goal to hand Sweden a 2-1 win over Banyana Banyana in Group G at the Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday.
Desiree Ellis’ ladies were making only their second appearance at the Mundial after their maiden outing in France four years ago where they finished bottom in Group B with no points behind Germany, Spain and China.
The reigning Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions started off the blocks in Wellington when midfielder Hildah Magaia opened the scoring three minutes into the second half.
South Africa held on to the 1-0 lead until the 65th when Barcelona star Fridolina Rolfo equalised for Sweden. The Blue and Yellows began to pile more pressure on the South Africans from that moment and scored the winner in the 90th minute when Illestedt powered in a header from Kosovare Asllani’s corner.
Full-time.
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It’s a defeat against Sweden .#BeyondGreatness #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/zeAX3UVwf6
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 23, 2023
Banyana will be hoping to bring their first World Cup points on board when they face South American giants Argentina in their next Group G game at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday.
