Bayana Bayana of South Africa squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Argentina in Dunedin. They are now third in their group with only one point.
South Africa started like a house on fire and seemed they were going to secure their first ever win at the World Cup, when Motlhalo and Kgatlana scored a goal in each half respectively to give the Africans a comfortable 2-0 lead till the 74th minute.
In a space of five minutes Argentina equalized through Sophia Brown and Romina Nunez.
South Africa’s chances of going beyond the group stage are getting slimmer, as a win in their last match against Italy, who will play Sweden tomorrow, does not guarantee qualification, unless the result of the match between Argentina and Sweden favours them.
In Group D, England defeated fellow Europeans, Denmark by a lone goal in Sydney to tighten their grip on the group with six points.
Lauren James, the sister of Reece James of Chelsea scored the only goal of the tough encounter with a superb strike from the edge of the box in just six minutes of her first World Cup start.
Reece James sister, Lauren James scored England’s only goal
In the group’s other match, China put behind their 1-0 loss to Denmark on match day one to defeat Haiti 1-0 despite having mid fielder Zhang Rui sent off in the 29th minute.
Wang Shuang scored the only goal of the match, converting the penalty that resulted from Ruthny Mathurin foul on Zhang Linyan.
China still reach the knockout stage
This victory kept England’s knockout stage qualification on hold pending the outcome of their last match on Tuesday, which will see England take on China as Denmark dare Haiti.
While Haiti cannot go beyond the group stages after losing their first two matches, either England, Denmark and China can still qualify.
