WWC round-up: China, England secure slim wins as South Africa get draw

South Africa’s female national team was denied their first win of the tournament following a 2-2 draw against Argentina in their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup encounter at the Dunedin stadium, New Zealand, in the early hours of Friday.

Playing their second match in the ongoing tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, South Africa let a two-goal lead slip by conceding twice late in the second half, robbing the Bayana Bayana of the satisfaction of three maximum points in Group G.

Linda Motlhalo, a winger, finished off Thembi Kgatlana’s pass with aplomb on 30 minutes before Kgatlana doubled the advantage in the 66th minute and put South Africa on course for a deserved win before disaster struck.

The unlikely comeback began with a stunning volley goal converted by Sophia Braun on 74 minutes, and the stunned South Africans conceded the second five minutes later through a header by Romina Nunez, a substitute.

In other matches, England had Laura James to thank as the Chelsea Women’s star scored the only goal of a 1-0 win over Denmark, putting the Lionesses on the cusp of qualification.

China also scrapped to a 1-0 win over Haiti despite playing over 60 minutes of the encounter with ten women following the dismissal of Rui Zhang in the 29th minute for a dangerous studs-up challenge.

RESULTS

• Argentina 2-2 South Africa
• England 1-0 Denmark
• China 1-0 Haiti