---
title: "Banyana Banyana make history to advance to Women’s World Cup knockout stage"
description: "South Africa overcome Italy to reach the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup"
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "NEWSFLASH"
author: "Craig Ray"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/craig-ray/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-02-banyana-banyana-make-history-to-advance-to-womens-world-cup-knockout-stage/"
published: "2023-08-02T11:38:35"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 169
---

# Banyana Banyana make history to advance to Women’s World Cup knockout stage

> South Africa overcome Italy to reach the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup

By Craig Ray · Published 2 August 2023, 13:38 SAST

## Key points
- Thembi Kgatlana's dramatic injury time winner sent South Africa into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in history.
- South Africa win 3-2 over Italy in dramatic fashion
- Banyana Banyana advance to last 16 for the first time
- Italy opened scoring from penalty in 11th minute

## Content

A dramatic winner deep into injury time by star striker Thembi Kgatlana gave South Africa a 3-2 win over Italy in their final Group G clash at the Women's World Cup in Wellington on Wednesday.

The win saw [Banyana Banyana advance](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-01-banyana-banyana-vs-italy-its-do-or-die-at-world-cup/) to the last 16 for the first time at only their second appearance at a World Cup.

South Africa had to come from behind after Italy opened the scoring from a penalty in the 11th minute. **DM**

*This is a developing story.*

![Thembi Kgatlana of Banyana Banyana celebrates after Italy scored an own goal during their Women's World Cup clash in Wellington, New Zealand, on 2 August 2023. (EPA / Ritchie B Tongo)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ysuuSW8VJoNS96XxSfIXoIjn72Y=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/10781001.jpg)

*Thembi Kgatlana of Banyana Banyana celebrates after Italy scored an own goal during the Fifa Women's World Cup 2023 match between South Africa and Italy, in Wellington, New Zealand on 2 August 2023. (EPA/Ritchie B Tongo)*

![Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's third goal during their Fifa Women's World Cup 2023 Group G match against Italy at Wellington Regional Stadium on 2 August, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bM2GIVnKMtKM1fLe-dMzbHaAzUs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/GettyImages-1587069111.jpg)

*Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's third goal during the Fifa Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between South Africa and Italy at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images)*