An injury time winner by Thembi Kgatlana was enough to guide Banyana Banyana to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Italy to secure their place in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.

South Africa made history when captain Thembi Kgatlana scored the game-winning goal in the 92nd minute to set up a meeting with the Netherlands and send Italy home.

Before Kgatlana’s astonishing late intervention, Italy’s Arianna Caruso thought she had salvaged the draw they needed to advance with 16 minutes remaining.

At the conclusion, the Italians were in tears as their opponents celebrated a historic victory.

Caruso scored a penalty in the 11th minute to put Italy ahead, but they conceded an equaliser in ridiculous circumstances 32 minutes later.

Without looking up to see where Francesca Durante was, the Italy defender Benedetta Orsi passed the ball back to her custodian.

However, Durante was nowhere near where the backpass went, and the ball ended up in the Italian goal for an obvious own goal.

Moments later, Italy hit the post during a goalmouth scramble, but there was little to choose between the teams at the Wellington halftime break.

The African champions knew they had to score in the second half, so they went on the offensive.

67 minutes later, South Africa took the lead when captain Kgatlana assisted Hildah Magaia in putting the ball into the net.

South Africa almost scored a third goal, but Durante made a spectacular save. Minutes later, what appeared to be the decisive moment occurred.

After an excruciatingly lengthy VAR review, Caruso’s second goal for Italy tied the score at 2-2, bringing Italy level.

In the second minute of injury time at the end of the match, the Italian defence disappeared once more, allowing Kgatlana to score and advance South Africa.

Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix