Sweden, reigning Olympic vice-champion, snatched a victory in extremis for its entry into the Women’s World Cup against South Africa (2-1), Sunday in Wellington. Very ambitious in the wake of their Olympic final lost on penalties in Japan two years ago against Canada, the Swedes were very hot, despite the New Zealand cold and incessant rain. Their defender Amanda Ilestedt, on the departure of Paris SG for Arsenal, delivered them with a header in the 90th minute, a goal already crucial in the perspective of qualification for the round of 16.
The defending African champions, without pressure, will be able to blame themselves: without the error of their defender Lebogang Ramalepe, Fridolina Rolfo could not have equalized (65th) and they would undoubtedly have at least obtained a draw, the best result in their history in the World Cup. The Swedes can breathe, because they have not multiplied the scoring opportunities, in a Regional Stadium in Wellington with sparse stands. The South African “Banyana Banyana” even regularly proved dangerous, with an untenable Thembi Kgatlana, the Louisville striker. The latter was behind the opener, signed Hildah Magaia (48th). The striker ended her race in the net, visibly affected, and had to leave her place a few minutes later. But his goal was duly celebrated by his partners, with a few dance steps.
While waiting for the other Group G match, Italy-Argentina on Monday in Auckland, the Swedish team, world number 3, will still have to find springs to raise the cursor and stay within its usual standards. Finalist of the World Cup in 2003, three times third (1991, 2011, 2019), silver medalist at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, she is aiming for a first international title since Euro 1984.