Argentina vs South Africa: Can underdogs make history on matchday two?

South Africa will be hoping to make history on matchday two of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup when they lock horns with Argentina on Thursday. Four years ago, Desiree Ellis’s team qualified for their first ever World Cup and they made a swift exit after losing all three of their group stage games. However, a lot has changed since then. South Africa come into their sophomore World Cup appearance having won the 2022 Women’s AFCON competition, and despite losing their opener 2-1 to Sweden, Banyana Banyana are certainly hopeful that they still have a chance at potentially turning things around.

A brave fight against a top ranked side

In their tournament opener, South Africa were painfully close to holding Sweden to what would have been an impressive draw. Despite conceding a heartbreaking goal in the last minutes of that match to lose 2-1, the fact that South Africa were able to match wits with a team that are only ranked behind the USWNT and Germany was truly an impressive feat. Unfortunately, however, in football, there are no consolation points given for effort, meaning that Banyana Banyana will need to win their upcoming game against Argentina if they want to have any glimmer of hope of staying afloat in the World Cup.

South Africa aren’t the only side looking to make history…so are Argentina

Unfortunately, it won’t be easy. South Africa have won just one of their last six games across all competitions and Argentina, despite their 1-0 loss to Italy, are in pretty solid form coming into this match. Like South Africa, Argentina are new faces on the World Cup scene, having also made their first ever appearance back in 2019. But unlike their upcoming opponents, Argentina have managed to earn at least a point, pulling off a draw against 2011 World Cup winners Japan in their opener back in 2019, and overall have had a better run up to this competition.

Germán Portanova’s team, who are ranked 28th by FIFA, had won five of their six matches prior to losing to Italy. The sole “loss” during that run was a 7-6 defeat on penalties to Venezuela following a 1-1 draw. In addition, Italy had to really work to finally find a breakthrough in the 87th minute as the Azzurre struggled to break down Argentina’s defensive shape. What cost La Albiceleste, however, was their failure to really present much of an attacking threat; throughout the match, they recorded just five shots versus Italy’s 11.

With Italy and Sweden set to battle it out, one – or possibly both – of those two European sides are bound to drop points. That means that should South Africa (or Argentina) make history and clinch a much-needed win, things could get a lot more exciting and noteworthy in Group G heading into matchday three, with potentially three teams in the running for a round of 16 spot.

Will South Africa be able to rebound here in what will be their first ever meeting against Argentina? Or will the South Americans manage to secure a vital win ahead of their showdown with Sweden next week?