WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Amanda Ilestedt’s 90th minute winner gave Sweden a 2-1 win over South Africa in their Women’s World Cup Group G match on Sunday after a fortuitous equaliser from Fridolina Rolfo had cancelled out Hildah Magaia’s opener.
Under pouring rain in the New Zealand capital, the lanky Ilestedt jumped highest and squeezed the ball home to save her team’s blushes after they were left frustrated by the African champions for much of the opening hour of the game.
The result left the third-ranked Swedes top of their group, before Italy and Argentina play their opener in Auckland on Monday.
“South Africa made it hard for us, but I think we grew into the game and got better and better. In the second half we played better, but a victory in the opening game is what counts,” Ilestedt said.
South Africa, ranked 54th, were looking for their first ever World Cup win on their second appearance at the tournament, having exited in the group stage in 2019 without picking up a point.
They kept their more fancied opponents at bay in the first half, as a frustrated Sweden side controlled possession but could not find the finishing touch, and threatened on the counter.
Captain Refiloe Jane’s brilliant long-range attempt floated over the crossbar, while Sweden struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Filippa Angeldal drawing the only save from the goalkeeper in the first half with a tame effort.
Zecira Musovic had parried away Thembi Kgatlana’s shot but Magaia got to the rebound before Sweden defender Jonna Andersson and bundled the ball over the line two minutes after the break, scoring South Africa’s second ever World Cup goal.
But Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross skewed off defender Lebohang Ramalepe and bounced into the net off Rolfo to hand the Swedes a lifeline in the 66th minute.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side pushed for a winner but they were denied by South Africa’s resolute defending, until Ilestedt met Kosovare Asllani’s corner with a strong header.
“We’re so used to being in such situations where things don’t work, (and thinking about) what are we going to do,” Gerhardsson said according to Reuters.
“It’s no coincidence that we decided the match on a set piece, it’s no coincidence because that’s what we practice a lot.”
Banyana Banyana players sang and danced as they stepped down from their team bus and made their way to their locker room an hour before the match started.
They sang and danced again as they left the field.
The ball was swept in for Sweden´s 11th corner of the match and Ilestedt was perfectly placed to head the ball down and into the net.
Italy and Argentina meet in the next match in Group G in Auckland on Monday. Both will have watched and noted South Africa´s performance. The group suddenly looks tighter than expected.
Elsewhere, Zambia’s hopes of a dream start to their maiden Women’s World Cup campaign were shattered after a 5-0 defeat by former champions Japan.
The Copper Queens were handed a brutal reality check on the global stage by the clinical 2011 winners in Hamilton in their Group C clash.
A brace from striker Hinata Miyazawa set the foundations for the rout, with Mina Tanaka, Jun Endo and Riko Ueki also finding the net for the rampant Nadeshiko.
Tanaka saw two of her strikes ruled out by VAR before sweeping home just after half-time to further break Zambian hearts.
She then turned provider for Miyazawa to tap-in and make it 3-0 after adding a second herself.
Endo’s solo brilliance extended the advantage before Ueki scored a retaken penalty after Zambia keeper Catherine Musonda saw red for fouling her.
The heavy defeat will also serve as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the global stage for debutants against elite opposition.
The margin of victory highlights the arduousness of Zambia’s task Zambia in their maiden World Cup voyage.
The Copper Queens must quickly regroup before facing European giants Spain in a bid to avoid further punishment.
For clinical Japan, it was the ideal opening statement to strike fear into their rivals in Group C.
Elsewhere, England has edged their first Women’s World Cup match with a 1-0 victory over Haiti in Brisbane.
It took 29 minutes for Georgia Stanway to push the Lionesses into the lead with a retaken penalty – aiming the ball low into the left corner of the net.
England looked dominant at the start, with Alessia Russo testing Haiti’s defence to take an early chance after five minutes.
There was also a chance of a penalty after 16 minutes when Haitian player Dayana Pierre-Louis was given a yellow card for a foul in the area.
But just before that, Alessia Russo had clipped Tabita Joseph so the referee handed Haiti a free-kick.
The first half turned on two penalties after a handball, with the first replayed after VAR ruled the Haitian goalkeeper came off the line.
England tried to keep up the pressure in the second half but were unable to secure a second goal.
Haiti came tantalisingly close to scoring in the 81st minute, but England goalkeeper Mary Earps made a stunning stop with her feet to block the attempt.
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