Football

South Africa women vs Argentina player ratings: Banyana Banyana again hurt late on

July 28, 2023 6:21 am

In a thrilling second-round clash the Banyana Banyana once again missed out on achieving their first-ever World Cup win when they ‘only’ drew 2-2 vs Argentina women in dramatic circumstances. For the best part of 75 minutes Banyana Banyana player ratings were excellent and they deservedly led 2-0. However, another late collapse similar to that in their first game saw Albiceleste salvaging an unlikely point. Here are our South Africa women vs Argentina player ratings.

Argentina vs South Africa player ratings
Photo : Steve Haag / Icon Sport
  • Mostly boring opening minutes with Banyana Banyana the more dangerous side thanks to Kgatlana’s efforts.
  • South Africa took the lead half an hour in. Dominated after that and just past the hour Kgatlana deservedly made it 2-0 for Banyana Banyana.
  • The Argentinians looked done and dusted at that point. Yet, 2 late goals from Braun and Nunez saved an unlikely point for Albiceleste.

Banyana Banyana Player Ratings: Kgatlana shines but late fumbles proved costly

GK Kaylin Swart 6/10 – Not tested too much for the best part of an hour. Late on when it mattered most failed to produce the saves needed to prevent the comeback.

DF Lebohang Ramalepe 8/10 – Excellent all-match. Major threat down the right with her forays forward. Also, protected her zone very well.

DF Bongeka Gamede 6/10 – Solid all first half. Lost confidence late on though when tiredness saw her accumulate a dozen mistakes in no time. At fault for both goals conceded.

DF Bambanani Mbane 6/10 – Played well for about an hour but lost composure late on. Her passing wasn’t very good.

DF Karabo Dhlamini 7/10 – Did well in her first start of the tournament. Protected her zone successfully. Also, found a way to create 2 good chances with her crosses.

MF Hildah Magaia 7/10 – Looked troubled by her minor injury sustained in game one. Despite that, ran all match and made the most sprints of any woman on the pitch. Her aggression opened spaces for others.

MF Refiloe Jane 6/10 – Captain Jane played only 25 minutes. She got injured early and was forced off. While on the pitch she was very solid and controlled the midfield well.

MF Linda Motlhlalo 8/10 – The Glasgow City winger scored the first goal and had 2 other big chances in this match. Her ability to find pockets of space helped her to shine.

MF Noxolo Cesane 5/10 – Looked nervous in her first start of the tournament. Substituted early because of the many unforced errors she committed with her passing.

FW Jermaine Seoposenwe 7/10 – Used her speed well to hurt the Argentinians. Deserved a goal but her finishing was disappointing.

FW Thembi Kgatlana 8/10 – The most dangerous player on the pitch in this match. Assisted for the first Banyana Banyana goal and scored the second herself. Her rating would have been higher if not for 2 easily squandered big chances that could have killed the game.

SubstitutesΒ 

MF Kholosa Biyana 6/10 – Brought on early for the injured Jean. She got injured herself early in the second half though so played less than 30 minutes total. While on the pitch she was solid enough.

DF Sibulele Holweni 6/10 – Benched after a shaky showing in the first game. Failed to convince again when brought on early in the second half. She keeps surrendering possession cheaply.

MF Tiisetso Makhubela 5/10 – Came on as the third option in the heart of the midfield after both Jean and Biyana got hurt. Didn’t look comfortable. Should have done much better holding the ball late on.

The other 2 substitutes were made inside the final 15 minutes, so there was no time for those players to be ranked.

Argentina Player Ratings: Substitute Nunez saves the day for Albiceleste

GK Vanina Correa 6/10 – Despite making several good saves her lack of reach when diving proved costly. Should have done better at both goals that were conceded.

DF Sophia Braun 8/10 – Scored the crucial first goal that started the comeback. The full-back was the best player on the pitch for Albiceleste.

DF Aldana Cometti 6/10 – Started very well but then committed a bad error for the opener. Never regained her composure properly after that.

DF Miriam Mayorga 6/10 – Struggled for pace against the aggressive South Africans. Lost way too many aerial duels too.

DF Eliana Stabile 7/10 – Not the best of defensive displays. Going forward impressed though. For about 70 minutes the only 3 serious scoring chances Argentina had were created by Stabile’s crosses.

MF Loreno Benitez 5/10 – Very poor as the anchor. Substituted at halftime. Never settled.

MF Mariana Laroquette 6/10 – Moved on the right flank for this match. It didn’t suit her. Struggled to have an impact. Kept running into traffic too.

MF Florencia Bonsegundo 7/10 – Argentina’s best midfielder in this game. Her passes were slicing open the defence often. Her ability to protect the ball and find open teammates was vital late on.

MF Daiana Falfan 6/10 – Sloppy with her passing. All of her 3 shot attempts flew horribly wide too.

MF Estefania Banini 5/10 – Struggled all match. Had a minimal impact. Didn’t help defensively either.

ARG vs SA scaled
(Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images) – Photo by Icon sport

FW Paulina Gramaglia 6/10 – Didn’t have the impact her teammates hoped she will inside the box. Missed the only good chance that came her way too.

SubstitutesΒ 

DF Julieta Cruz 6/10 – Came on at halftime. Used as an anchor in the 4-1-4-1 formation. Didn’t enjoy the role and kept misreading runs from opponents behind her back.

MF Romina Nunez 7/10 – Also came on early. She scored the vital late equaliser. This was crucial even if Nunez was relatively quiet before that.

FW Yamila Rodriguez 6/10 – Failed to add extra edge in attack once introduced. Had a few late chances to win the game but misfired both times.

FW Erica Lonigro 5/10 – Didn’t do well. Kept giving away possession cheaply.

Player of the Match: Thembi Kgatlana

Banyana Banyana’s striker Kgatlana was by far the most dangerous player on the pitch in this match. She was a constant threat. She ended up assisting for the first goal and then scoring the second for South Africa, so we believe she deserves more than any other woman to be crowned Player of the Match.

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