FIFA Women’s World Cup: Argentina Secure Crucial Draw Against Wasteful Banyana Banyana

• South Africa failed to hold on to a two-goal lead in their clash against Argentina at the FIFA Women's World Cup
• Banyana Banyana were two goals up courtesy of Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana
• Argentina fought back with two quick goals in the second half to earn a crucial draw against the Africans

Argentina Women put up a daunting fight to come from two goals down to earn a crucial draw against South Africa at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Both teams had lost their opening matches in the competition respectively and were determined to go all out at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, located in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Although a draw would probably not be good for either of the two teams, the encounter was explosive from start to finish.

The opening goal came in the 30th minute after Linda Motlhalo smartly sprinted down the center to tuck home a Thembi Kgatlana tapped pass.

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The assistant referee had raised the flag for a Kgatlana offside, but after a VAR review, the goal stood, and Banyana Banyana took the lead.

South Africa were wasteful in front of goal late in the first half, particularly Kgatlana who missed begging chances, but they managed to hold on to the lead at halftime.

And just two minutes into the second half, Banyana Banyana should have made it two nil. It was given on a platter for Kgatlana, who only needed to tuck home from close range, but her effort went wide.

The missed chances would eventually haunt the Africans when Argentina pulled one back in the 74th minute.

The ball found its way to Sophia Braun, who played at Gonzaga, and with a one-two pass, Braun fired home to give her side a lifeline.

Barely five minutes later, the South Americans were level courtesy of a fine finish by Romina Nunez.

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Both sides threatened to get the winner, but somehow there were no further goals as it ended South Africa 2-2 Argentina.

The South Africans will now need a win over Italy in their final group game on August 2, the same day Argentina will take on Sweden, Sky Sports reports.

Nigeria 3-2 Australia

Sports Brief earlier reported that the Super Falcons of Nigeria produced a five-star performance against co-hosts, Australia, at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria's female team had to come from behind to defeat the impressive Matildas, who dominated most of the first half.

Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala we all on the scoresheet for the West Africans.