A World Cup is different from everything. There is no sport in which that phrase is not heard. And this Sunday was demonstrated in the maximum women's event of football: Sweden, one of the favorites to fight for the title, had to go back in agonizing way to South Africa, to win 2-1 in the 90th minute and add their first points in group G, the same in which the Argentine National Team will debut in the early hours of Monday against Italy.
Amanda Ilestedt was the heroine of the Europeans, who were about to star in the first surprise of the contest that takes place in Australia and New Zealand.
It is that the Africans, 54th in the FIFA ranking, were ahead at the beginning of the second half through Hildah Migala, but Sweden managed to equalize in the 64th minute with a goal from Fridolina Rolfo. Then Ilestedt executed a perfect header from a corner in the last breath to help the Swedes celebrate their initial victory.
South Africa played in black uniforms, unlike their usual green kit, which contrasted with Sweden's gold on a gloomy, rainy afternoon at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
The Banyana Banyana were full of energy and played with momentum. The South African players were celebrating after reaching an agreement in a protracted salary dispute with their federation, which guaranteed them they will receive the $30,000 promised by FIFA to all World Cup players.
The players sang and danced as they got off the bus on their way to the locker room. As they left the camp they sang and danced again.
The Netherlands, on the right foot
In the second match of the day, corresponding to group E, defender Stefanie van der Gragt scored the lone goal with which the Netherlands beat Portugal at the indoor stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.
The win set the table for Thursday's match between Group E leaders the United States and the Netherlands, a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final won by the Americans.
But the Dutch did not seem to have the power they had four years ago, despite their dominance over the Portuguese.
Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino.
Even so, Netherlands coach Andries Jonker said he is not afraid of the United States, reigning world champions and serious contenders to lift the trophy again.
Portugal struggled to create scoring opportunities and their first shot came in the 82nd minute at the feet of Telma Encarnacao, who came in from the substitutes' bench.
Hervé Renard's France could not with Jamaica
Hervé Renard is a well-known name for Argentina. It will remain in the history books when the path of the National Team to the conquest of its third star in the men's World Cup in Qatar 2022 is remembered. It is that the Frenchman, in command of Saudi Arabia, was able to beat the Albiceleste in that frustrated debut in Arab lands.
Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.
But after that feat, the blond coach took on another challenge: he became the coach of the French women's team ahead of another World Cup, which began this weekend in Oceania. But the story was different...
It is that one of the favorites in group F, completed by Brazil and Panama, could not against Jamaica and drew 0-0. He had the leading role, handled possession of the ball, filled his rival with centers, but could not open the score, in a tie that alters the logic that had been presented after the draw of the zones.
Jamaica celebrated the first point in its history in a Women's World Cup.
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