WELLINGTON, July 23 (Reuters) - Amanda Ilestedt's 90th minute winner gave Sweden a 2-1 win over South Africa in their Women's World Cup Group G match on Sunday after a fortuitous equaliser from Fridolina Rolfo had cancelled out Hildah Magaia's opener.
The result left the third-ranked Swedes top of their group, before Italy and Argentina play their opener in Auckland on Monday.
"South Africa made it hard for us, but I think we grew into the game and got better and better.
In the second half we played better, but a victory in the opening game is what counts," Ilestedt said.
South Africa, ranked 54th, were looking for their first ever World Cup win on their second appearance at the tournament, having exited in the group stage in 2019 without picking up a point.
Persons:
Amanda Ilestedt's, Fridolina Rolfo, Hildah, Ilestedt, Refiloe Jane's, Filippa, Zecira Musovic, Magaia, Jonna Andersson, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's, Lebohang Ramalepe, Peter Gerhardsson's, South, Kosovare, Gerhardsson, Hritika Sharma, Robert Birsel
Organizations:
WELLINGTON, Sweden, South, South Africa's, Thomson
Locations:
South Africa, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, Auckland, Africa, Sweden, Hyderabad