South Africa advanced to the last eight of a Women’s World Cup for the first time after defeating 2019 quarterfinalists Italy 3-2 in Wellington on Wednesday.
In the next round, the South Africans, who finished second in Group D (4 points), will meet the Dutch, who finished first in Group E (7 points). After leading 1-0 after only eleven minutes, the South Africans scored twice (2-1) before losing a second goal (74th).
However, Thembi Kgatlana earned her squad the victory in extra time by exploiting yet another Italian defensive blunder.