Yet the tournament’s lowest FIFA world-ranked team (77th) bowed out in style, claiming their first ever Women’s World Cup win with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica.
South AfricaNo team left it as late to qualify from the group stage as South Africa.
But Thembi Kgatlana had other ideas, tapping home Hildah Magaia’s pull back to secure South Africa’s first ever Women’s World Cup win and a place in the knockout stages with the flick of a boot.
A solid start for a side who arrived at the tournament having conceded more goals at the World Cup than any other team.
More history was made as Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at a senior-level Women’s World Cup, and the defender came close to doubling the lead with a well-struck volley.
Persons:
–, Banyana Banyana, Thembi Kgatlana, Kgatlana, Lars Baron, I’ve, ” Kgatlana, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale, Australia’s Alanna Kennedy, Lauren James, Christy Ucheibe, Ucheibe, Isabel Infantes, Striker Ibtissam, Benzina, Anissa, Badri, Paul Kane
Organizations:
CNN, Qatar, debutants, FIFA, Argentina, South, Getty, Racing Louisville, E, US, Sydney Football Stadium, Super Falcons, Olympic, Canada, Brisbane, Group, England, Denmark, European, Chelsea, Benfica, Germany, South Korea, Atlas Lions, France, Hindmarsh
Locations:
Nigeria, South Africa, debutants Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Zambia, Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Africa, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Portugal, Vietnam, Republic, Ireland, Canada, Denmark, England, Morocco, Colombia, Korea, Brisbane, Perth, France, Qatar