The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continued Saturday (on FS1 and the FOX Sports app), as Sweden and South Africa met at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.
Sweden, ranked third in the world by FIFA, is expected to dominate Group G. It made the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup in France and has been playing quality ball as of late.
On the other side, South Africa is making just its second World Cup appearance after failing to win a game in 2019. Banyana Banyana, while a substantial underdog, aims to make history with co-captain Refiloe Jane leading the charge.
And the team nearly did, kicking things off with an early goal and hanging tough through the first half. But Sweden’s experience proved to be the difference, and it came up with two late goals to get over the hump.
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90′: Corner gold!
Sweden was racking up the corner kicks all game, and was able to break through on its 11th — a perfect assist into the box, which was finished off by Amanda Ilestedt.
Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt scores goal vs. South Africa in 90′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt scoring a goal against South Africa in the 90′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
81′: Enter legend
One of the game’s most experienced savants, Caroline Seger was subbed into the match late, marking her fifth World Cup appearance. She’s just the second European woman to reach that milestone.
65′: Back into it!
Sweden had trouble finding its footing throughout the match, but caught a break in the 65th minute, as it played a pretty cross into the middle of the field. Fridolina Rolfo finished off the pass with a trickling shot into the back of the net. The tying goal marks the first time in this World Cup that both teams scored in the same game.
Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfo scores goal in 65′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfo score a goal in the 65′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
48′: GOOAALLLLLL!!!
South Africa had a great start in the first half, and three minutes into the second, it made history with its second-ever World Cup goal. Hildah Magaia was in perfect position as her team moved into the attacking third, and she put in a perfect rebounding shot to give her squad the lead.
South Africa’s Hildah Magaia scores goal vs. Sweden in 48′ | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Watch South Africa’s Hildah Magaia scored a goal against Sweden in the 48′ in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
43′: Close, but not close enough
Sweden totaled eight corner kicks in the first half, and though a few looked like they could net points on the board, Banyana Banyana’s defense displayed a staunch effort to keep their opponent at bay. The teams remained tied at zero at halftime.
31′: No handball
Controversy arose on a Sweden shot attempt when it struck a South African defender’s arm. Sweden argued for a handball, but after checking with VAR, referees determined that no call would be made.
30′: On goal!
South Africa sang its way to the pitch and kept up the high energy throughout the first half, pressuring Sweden with multiple charges. This attempt from Jermaine Seoposenwe epitomized Banyana Banyana’s efforts in the half.
25′: Laying out
Each player is going to have to sacrifice their body to aid their team in its pursuits, and South Africa showed its willingness early on with defensive plays like this one.
16′: From DEEP
Goalkeeprs: always stay on your toes. After seeing that Sweden’s goalie had come out of her box, Jane decided to uncork a long shot attempt that just barely missed the goal.
7′: Froze her!
Sweden had some style moves of its own, including this nasty footwork that stunned a South African defender.
6′: Getting the nerves out
South Africa made some viable pushes in attack early on but wasn’t able to complete any of its drives with a sufficient shot on goal.
PREGAME
Setting the stage
The “World Cup NOW” crew previewed the match live on Twitter ahead of kickoff.
Make ’em feel us
The suits and the songbirds were out for South Africa as it made its entrance in New Zealand. Talk about fly vibes.
‘This is our year’
Sweden’s national team has a deeply successful history, especially in European competition. But it’s never been able to ascend to World Cup glory. Here’s why the Blue and Yellow believe things will be different this time around.
Back in black
The South African squad is determined to put up a better fight than the one it did in 2019. As they say, look good, play good, and Banyana Banyana certainly have some good-looking threads for this match.
Check out the full Women’s World Cup schedule and how to watch each match live here. Find the latest scores here.
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