Italy lost 3-2 to South Africa and are out of the Women’s World Cup. The Azzurre came so close to going through but finished third in Group G with a record of one win and two defeats. Sweden finished top of the group and will take on the USA, while South Africa face the Netherlands in the next round.

 Milena Bertolini named a younger starting XI than the one that faced Sweden: the average age of the team against South Africa was 25 years and 117 days. She made one chance in defence – Orsi for Salvai – and one in attack, with Giacinti starting ahead of Cantori. Beccari, Dragoni and Bonansea kept their places.

THE GAME - The Azzurre started well and tried to dictate possession from the off. After a few unsuccessful offensive forays, Bertolini’s side took the lead in the eleventh minute. Beccari was brought down in the box by Dhlammi and the referee pointed to the spot. Caruso stepped up to take the penalty and converted calmly to score Italy’s quickest goal at a World Cup (10 minutes and 54 seconds). Ellis’ team didn’t back down, however, and, after hitting the post through Moodaly (21’), equalised in the 32nd minute through a freak own-goal by Orsi. The Sassuolo centre-back looked to pass the ball back to Durante but without checking where the goalkeeper was positioned and the ball trickled into the back of the net. The Azzurre were shocked but bounced back quickly, hitting the post through Giugliano as she attempted to head home from Beccari’s cross. Bonansea and co tried to build back up but lacked the precision to break through a stout South African defence. In the 43rd minute, Boattin and Seoposenwe went toe-to-toe at the edge of the Italy box, the latter went down and asked for a penalty. Referee Carvajal saw nothing wrong, play on. Italy spurned a big chance in the 45th minute. Dragoni found Beccari on the right but the winger’s ball in towards Bonansea was wayward and it went out for a goal kick. The Azzurre’s errors, especially after the goal, were telling and the two sides were level at the break.

Just as the second half got underway Italy won a free kick from a good position, but Boattin’s shot flew over the South Africa goal. Whilst South Africa grew in confidence, evident in the play upfront between Kgatlana and Magaia, Italy’s efforts continued to produce little. Bertolini made the first changes of the game, without much effect (Bartoli for Di Guglielmo and Girelli for Bonansea). In the 67th minute, South Africa’s determination payed off: Kgatlana kept calm in the area passing to Magaia who put it away. A nightmare for Italy, who, in spite of Sweden’s success playing Argentina and with this scoreline, were set to be eliminated. Four minutes later, Kgatlana looks for a third, but Durante worked a miracle in stopping the shot from the South African forward. The Azzurre responded by bringing the score level from a corner in the 75th minute. A successful touch from Caruso sent the ball past an airborne Girelli and into the net, but VAR called on Carvajal to check for a possible offside against the Juventus midfielder. Italy waited with bated breath for a number of minutes, no offside: the check confirmed the level scoreline bringing Bertolini’s team back in the running, momentarily through to the final eight. The adversaries, however, didn’t relent, creating a chance from a corner that was thwarted by Italy’s defence.

Though Bertolini’s Italy also weren’t short of upfront action, nothing proved decisive, not even Girelli who went one-v-one with Swart in the South Africa box after a good pass from Cantore. At 92’ South Africa punished the Italian defence once again: Seoposenwe broke free from the offside line to pick out Magaia in the area. The number 8 kept control of the ball, passing to Kgatlana who made it 3-2 with a goal typical of the 27 year-old Racing Louisville player. Italy pushed continuously in the last of the 11 minutes of added time, but at the blow of the whistle the game goes to South Africa, who are through to the Round of 16 and get their historic first win at the Women’s World Cup. The ending is bitter for Italy, who leave the tournament with one victory and two losses in Group G, finishing in third place.

SOUTH AFRICA 3-2 ITALY

GOALS: 11’ pen. Caruso (ITA), 32’ og. Orsi (RSA), 67’ Magaia (RSA), 74’ Caruso (ITA), 90’+2’ Kgatlana (RSA)  

SOUTH AFRICA (3-4-3): Swart; Gamede, Matlou, Mbane; Ramalepe (95’ Makhubela), Moodaly (46’ Kgoale), Motlhalo, Dhlamini (105’ Holweni); Seoposenwe, Kgatlana, Magaia (95’ Shongwe). Coach: Desiree Ellis.

ITALY (4-2-3-1): Durante; Di Guglielmo (64’ Bartoli), Linari, Orsi (100’ Glionna), Boattin; Giugliano, Caruso (84’ Greggi); Beccari (84’ Cantore), Dragoni, Bonansea (64’ Girelli); Giacinti. Coach: Milena Bertolini.

REFEREE: Maria Carvajal (CHL). ASSISTANTS: Leslie Vaquez (CHL), Monica Amboya (CHL); 4th Official Myriam Marcotte (CAN)