[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group G - South Africa v Italy - Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand - August 2, 2023 South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana in action with Italy's Arianna Caruso REUTERS/Amanda PerobelliWELLINGTON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Thembi Kgatlana overcame personal tragedy and a brutal injury to deliver South Africa's first Women's World Cup win on Wednesday, booking a spot in the knockout stages with a last-gasp 3-2 upset over Italy in Wellington.
I could have went home, but I chose to stay with my girls," Kgatlana said.
The Racing Louisville forward suffered a torn Achilles tendon in 2022, an injury that kept her sidelined for some 10 months and nearly cost her a trip to her second World Cup.
But Kgatlana said she and her team mates walked into Wednesday's match ready to "dig deep" despite the frustrating previous results.
They will face the Netherlands in the last 16 in Sydney on Sunday, after finishing second in Group G behind Sweden.
Persons:
Italy's Arianna Caruso, Amanda Perobelli WELLINGTON, Thembi Kgatlana, Arianna Caruso, I've, Kgatlana, Amy Tennery, Christian Radnedge
Organizations:
Soccer Football, FIFA, Wellington Regional, Louisville, Argentina, G, Sweden, Thomson
Locations:
New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Wellington , New Zealand, Wellington, Sweden, Netherlands, Sydney