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<\/div>\nArgentina manager German Portanova told his team to \u201cplay with the love that optimises our football\u201d before they produced a stunning comeback from two goals down to draw with South Africa.<\/p>\n
South Africa were on course to pick up a first-ever Women\u2019s World Cup victory in a pulsating encounter in Dunedin but in the end, they had to settle for their first point after Argentina scored twice within five second-half minutes.<\/p>\n
Knowing defeat would take Argentina to the brink of elimination, they threw everything at Desiree Ellis\u2019 side in the second half and were rewarded for their endeavour.<\/p>\n
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Substitute Romina Nunez headed in Argentina\u2019s second goal after a superb half-volley from Sophia Braun had stunned South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told them to play, have fun, dribble and play their best games. That\u2019s why we are here. They are wonderful players,\u201d said Portanova.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to see them playing with that love that optimises our football. We were a bit slow in the first half. In the second half, we changed and there was a huge feeling. We moved ahead with self-confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing I most admire about these players is the constant desire to grow. I\u2019m really emotional about what they achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Glasgow City winger Linda Motlhalo gave South Africa the lead after being teed up by Thembi Kgatlana, who was shown to have stayed onside following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.<\/p>\n
Kgatlana should have scored after the break when she sliced Jermaine Seoposenwe\u2019s curling cross wide from close range, but the two combined later for South Africa\u2019s second goal.<\/p>\n
It was South Africa\u2019s first point at a Women\u2019s World Cup but for large parts of the game, they looked set for a historic win before their final Group G match against Italy.<\/p>\n
Argentina face Sweden next, ranked third in the world, but have at least kept their tournament alive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew [today\u2019s game] was at a favourable time slot for Argentina TV so it was important for us to promote women\u2019s football and see us playing well,\u201d added Portonova.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey needed to see happiness in our eyes. I believe that at certain times we achieved this. They had self-conviction and were proud of the national shirt they were wearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was full of Argentinians in the stadium too. It is around 4am in Argentina for the Sweden game. Please follow us, wake up early \u2013 we will play our best match possible to win these three points.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018It comes back to haunt us every time\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n South Africa captain Refiloe Jane was taken off on a stretcher midway through the first half<\/em><\/p>\n It was a frantic and remarkable contest in New Zealand where South Africa\u2019s fearlessness and aggressive pressing dominated the first half.<\/p>\n Motlhalo and Kgatlana had starred, causing problems for Argentina and combining effectively to give South Africa what appeared to be a strong lead.<\/p>\n Argentina boss Portanova reacted by making several substitutions and it was two of those who linked up for their second goal \u2013 Yamila Rodriguez\u2019s cross was headed in expertly by Nunez.<\/p>\n There had been few chances for Argentina in the opening hour but Paulina Gramaglia\u2019s attempted cross clipped the woodwork when it sliced over goalkeeper Kaylin Swart\u2019s head at the end of the first half.<\/p>\n Instead, the majority of the chances fell South Africa\u2019s way and during lengthy first-half added time, they had a goal ruled out for offside, before Motlhalo struck dangerously wide of the post.<\/p>\n Racing Louisville forward Kgatlana spurned a few chances before netting South Africa\u2019s second goal and that ultimately proved costly when Nunez, who had earlier volleyed it over the bar from close range, headed in Argentina\u2019s equaliser.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the problem \u2013 we don\u2019t take our chances. It comes back to haunt us every time,\u201d said South Africa boss Ellis.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many chances did we create? How many final third entries did we have that we did not complete? We were in complete control of the game and we just needed to finish it off.<\/p>\n \u201cWe lost the ball a lot in certain areas. It\u2019s criminal. It hurts a lot. We have to take responsibility \u2013 it has to be better.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a great opportunity to put us a step ahead [in the group] but it is not all lost. We have put ourselves in this position by not taking our chances.\u201d<\/p>\n South Africa face Italy in their final group match but could be without captain Refiloe Jane \u2013 who was taken off on a stretcher.<\/p>\n Jane\u2019s replacement Kholosa Biyana picked up another yellow card and is ruled out against Italy with suspension.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Refiloe](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/_130556531_gettyimages-1558390695.jpg\")
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