In this issue:
South Africa deliver huge moment for Ellis
Italy crash out in style
Marta departs with grace
Jamaica make history
It’s Day 14, you’ve made it through two weeks of wall-to-wall football and there is a rest day right around the corner.
Today’s action was of Shakespearean levels. We had the comedy of Italian football, the tragedy of Marta’s final World Cup, and the history-makers of South Africa and Jamaica.
Groups F and G wrapped up today and we got some more history as South Africa not only claimed their first win in a Women’s World Cup but they also qualified for the round of 16 for the first time.
The journey of this South Africa team has been incredible. From not picking up a point in their first World Cup in 2019, to now only losing one of their three games, and it was only a late goal to Sweden that stopped them finishing the group stage unbeaten.
Desiree Ellis was the coach back in 2019 but since that World Cup debut she’s taken the team to a first AFCON title and now the last 16 of the World Cup. Ellis has tasted heartbreak as a South African footballer and as a manager, she lost an AFCON final as a player in 2000 and then as a coach in 2018. She is absolutely adored by her players for her drive, resilience and belief.
Ellis has been the head coach all through various disruptions and issues with the South Africa Football Association. Just before the World Cup kicked off, her team were protesting amid a bonus dispute with SAFA. Ellis ended up having to field a junior team in the friendly against Botswana, with her World Cup squad opting to miss the game in protest. Eventually a charity stepped in to field the gap left as a result of the bonus dispute but it wouldn’t have been a simple preparation for Ellis’ team.
In the first game against Sweden, her team defended resolutely but conceded a late goal from a corner, the Swedes doing what they do best. In the second game, South Africa surrendered a two-goal lead against Argentina but picked up a point. Ellis demanded more from her team in the final game against a woeful Italy team.
They delivered for her, battling away and coming back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, before riding yet another set back of an Italy equaliser. South Africa were the better team in the second half, relentless pushing forward at any opportunity in search of a winner.
It could only be superstar Thembi Kgatlana that would score the winner in the 92nd minute. We have so many special stoppage time goals already in this tournament, but this is the best for me. Kgatlana has not only battled an achilles injury which kept her out for 10 months over the last year, but she also revealed after the game that she has been dealing with family bereavement.
"Over the last two weeks, I've lost three family members. I could have gone home but I chose to stay with my girls. Because that's how much it means. I came back from a very, brutal injury to be here, to play for the country, to represent every single girl that wanted to be here, to make history with the girls for South Africa."
Farcical Italy
As South Africa advanced, Italy crashed out, in pretty hilarious fashion too. Benedetta Orsi scored a shocker of an goal as she unexpectedly passed the ball back to her goalkeeper who was left stranded. This was the goal that let South Africa back into the game and made it 1-1. Italy had the win in their hands when they turned it around to 2-1 but given the chaos and disappointment that has surrounded this team and coach Milena Bartolini in the past 18 months, of course Italy ended up losing the game 3-2.
Bartolini should be sacked after this performance and an embarrassing Euros, where Italy only picked up a point, but will the Italian Football Federation listen to the fans and acknowledge the mess on the pitch? Who knows!
Tragedy for Marta
In an emotional finale to today’s three-part epic, Brazil left the Women’s World Cup at the group stage for the first time since 1995. This World Cup is 37-year-old Marta’s final tournament and nobody wanted to see the Brazilian legend bow out at this stage especially after Brazil were so impressive in their opening game and looked to be returning to entertaining, free flowing football.
Marta started for Brazil but couldn’t make an impact and no one could force anything past Jamaican goalkeeper Becky Spencer and her backline. Spencer and her defence are one of three teams that are still yet to concede at this tournament. The embrace and chat between Marta and Bunny Shaw brought to tears at full time. A legacy that lives on through so many players at this World Cup.
History for Jamaica
While Marta and Brazil suffered a Shakespearean tragedy, Jamaica qualified for the round of 16 for the first time. Their achievements are even more exceptional given they were in a group with Brazil and France, two sides who were predicted to go deep in this tournament. Bunny Shaw didn’t manage to score in the group stage, she was suspended for their game against Panama, but her leadership and hard word on the pitch was vital in the final game against Brazil. Shaw dropped to her knees in tears at the final whistle and her teammates held her, embracing each other in the moment.
Something to read…..
Carli Lloyd’s Attacks on the USWNT Are Personal—and Political
Till tomorrow!