World Cup, Day 14 Analysis

Another day of shocks as Brazil and Italy bow out and South Africa and Jamaica qualify for the second round as the World Cup approaches the end of the group stage...

It was a huge day for match-winner Hildah Magaia, head coach Desiree Ellis and rest of the South Africa squad. Image: FIFA

Sweden through with ease, but Gerhardsson makes an interesting move

With Sweden enjoying the rare luxury of being basically guaranteed top spot in Group G after just two games, head coach Peter Gerhardsson took the opportunity to ring the changes against Argentina. Nine of them, in fact.

It wasn't pretty, but they got the job done and sealed top spot with nine points out of nine, with double world champions USA up next.

Perhaps that was Gerhardsson's main thinking. Nobody was in danger of a suspension, so it can only have been to rest legs as the likes of Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö, Kosovare Asllani and co started on the bench.

But Sweden haven't looked like a team that has quite clicked into gear just yet, from open play at least, and you can't help but feel this would have been a great opportunity with little pressure to have an extra 90 minutes for his starting eleven to get well drilled ahead of the USA match.

Who knows, fresher legs may win out, and it's certainly one of the more intriguing second round ties, and perhaps USA's pace in transition may catch out a defence which did look to struggle against the pace and skill of South Africa in their opening match.

Everton midfielder Bennison enjoyed a good game across the Sweden midfield, via OPTA

There were some bright sparks for Sweden, with Everton's Hanna Bennison in particular putting in a good performance, dictating play from midfield throughout, while Rebecka Blomqvist got her second goal of the tournament before Elin Rubensson added a late penalty.

Perhaps not at their best just yet, but only the second team through with a 100% record.

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A historic moment for South Africa

I went on a journey while deciding what I was going to write about South Africa today. From lamenting their inability to hold onto a lead for a third successive game, to talking about how harsh it would have felt for them to go home as the only African side not to win a game at this World Cup, to now lauding what was another brave, exciting and in the end an outcome which they deserved.

It's an incredible achievement for so many reasons for Banyana Banyana to be through to the next round. Rememebr, these players didn't even play their send-off match because of a dispute with their own federation over both facilities and bonuses, yet they've got out of a group against Sweden, Italy and Argentina.

I said a few days ago they could rue not getting anything from their first two games, particularly drawing 2-2 against Argentina from 2-0 up, and they almost did, but what resolve they showed against Italy after throwing away the lead twice.

This is a nation bidding for the 2027 World Cup and this can't do their chances any harm, such is the way they have captured the hearts of the world. They didn't give up, they showed no fear, and ironically despite not being at their best in the first half an hour, they got the slice of luck they probably deserved when Benedetta Orsi bizzarrely put the ball through her own net to offer a lifeline which didn't seem likely.

It was a huge defensive effort from the entire South Africa starting eleven, via OPTA

But there were some interesting tactical tweaks from Desiree Ellis too. With Refiloe Jane injured, Ellis moved centre-back Bongeka Gamede into the midfield where she continued her excellent tournament. 37-year-old Noko Matlou came in at the back and used her experience to good effect, with they were a constant threat in attack through all four of Motlhalo, Magaia, Kgatlana and Seoposenwe.

The scenes at full-time were joyous, and it's 2019 finalists Netherlands up next and Banyana Banyana have shown zero signs that they will be in anyway flustered by the opportunity.