WWC round-up: Sweden secure late victory over South Africa as Jamaica hold France
The Bayana Bayana of South Africa were stunned deep into stoppage time to lose 2-1 to Sweden in their Group G opener on Sunday.
The South Africans had raced ahead in the 48th minute when Hildah Magaia bundled the ball into the net after Zecira Musovic, the Swedish goalkeeper, mishandled a cross.
The strike was Bayana Bayana’s second-ever goal at the World Cup and looked significant until Sweden struck back.
The goal came courtesy of Lebohang Ramalepe, a South African defender, who unwittingly stirred a Swedish cross past her goalkeeper.
The game looked destined to finish a draw and earn Bayana Bayana their World Cup first point, but Amanda Ilestedt rose highest on the stroke of full-time to meet Kosovare Asllani’s corner and headed the ball into the net.
Later in the day, the Netherlands edged Portugal 1-0 at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
A 13th-minute Stefanie van der Gragt header was the difference between the 2019 World Cup finalists and the debutants.
Jamaica’s Khadijah Shaw saw red as the Reggae Girlz held France for the country’s first World Cup point in a goalless draw.
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