World Cup, Day 9 Analysis

Missed opportunities for South Africa, Denmark and Haiti. England loses a key player and VAR comes to the fore...

Thembi Kgatlana was in top form for South Africa. Image: FIFA

Missed opportunities for both Argentina and South Africa

In what appears to be a fairy open Group G, but of Argentina and South Africa will rue not taking more from this game.

For Argentina, they struggled to build on a really positive performance against Italy, but with Sweden still to play, a point is unlikely to give them much of a chance of progression to the second round unless they can shock the side ranked third in the world.

For South Africa, they have a more winnable final match given Italy looked underwhelming yet again in their opening match, but given they were 2-0 with 15 minutes to go and failed to convert into what would have been a crucial three points, they too will be disappointed with how things played out.

Chances at both ends were even but neither side could take the 3 points, via OPTA

If Italy don't get anything from Sweden tomorrow, it does at least give Desiree Ellis's side a chance of progression if they can beat Italy, and they showed enough quality against both Sweden and then again against Argentina to believe they can.

Thembi Kgatlana was excellent, scoring one and assisting another as Banyana Banyana raced into a 2-0 lead, but you have to credit Argentina who came charging back late on.

Both sides had chances where it could have been more or less for either, but you can't help both will walk away feeling a bit short changed.

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Kgatlana emphasises progress debutant nations are making

At the last World Cup in 2019 when South Africa made its debut, only six of their players were plying their trade abroad. Two were in the Lithuanian league, while two others were in China, their goalscorers today Motlhalo and Kgatlana, two of the nation's standout players.

The lack of top quality international experience and development was evident on the pitch, and this tournament has shown the progress many of these nations are making, and how the added attention the quality of player they are developing is helping the national teams.

South Africa is a prime example. Seven of the players in the current squad play abroad, but in more competitive leagues. Kgatlana is now starring in the NWSL, while Motlhalo has just become a champion with Glasgow City and plays in the Champions League.

Kgatlana kept it simple but was effective inside the box, via OPTA

Others, such as captain Refiloe Jane play in Italy, while experienced Noko Matlou plays in Spain. Kgatlana's experience and quality in particular shone against Argentina, with a goal and an assist for the forward.

In terms of possession, she didn't misplace a single pass during the game. Often they were backwards, but she was smart in her play to keep South Africa on the ball and for large parts well on top of the opposition.

As mentioned above, they will rue this is a missed opportunity, but they have shown enough quality to believe they can go and beat Italy and qualify for the next round, and hopefully with an eye on hosting the 2027 tournament, this is just the beginning.