Argentina have produced the comeback of the Women’s World Cup, scoring two late goals to draw 2-2 with South Africa in Dunedin.
Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana struck either side of halftime to put South Africa 2-0 up in Friday's Group G clash.
Banyana Banyana looked to be cruising towards their first-ever WWC win, only for Sophia Braun’s second-half wonder strike to shake up the contest.
Braun might have netted herself the goal of the tournament with a stunning half-volley on 74 minutes.
Her spectacular strike provided the platform for Argentina's unlikely salvage operation.
Romina Nunez’s glancing header from substitute Yamila Rodriguez’s cross put the South Americans on terms and set up a barnstorming finish.
Neither side was able to grab a winner, meaning each country is still awaiting a first-ever victory on the global stage.
The result may not help either side, given they were both first-up losers in a tough Group G.
Their conquerors Sweden and Italy, who face each other on Saturday in Wellington, will now be favoured to progress.
Braun said Argentina showed they still had plenty to play for, ahead of their final group-stage clash with world No.3 Sweden next Wednesday.
“I’m really proud of how we came back … we showed a lot of heart and fight to crawl our way back,” she said.
The crowd of just under 9000 for the midday kick-off in Dunedin was the smallest of the tournament so far. They were treated to one of the most dramatic matches.
After missing early chances to go ahead, Motlhano had the ball in the back of the net from Kgatlana’s centre on half-an-hour, only for the effort to be flagged offside.
A VAR check showed Kgatlana had beaten the offside trap - surprisingly to the naked eye - and the goal was awarded.
After the break, the Africans scored a deserved second when Jermaine Seoposenwe hassled Aldana Cometti off the ball, crossing for Kgatlana to tap in.
Kgatlana's joyful celebrations turned out to be premature, even as she was named player of the match.
“We had the game in our pocket … and we gave them two easy goals,” she said.
Frustratingly for South Africa, it is the second match in which they have been ahead at this tournament without closing out the result.
In further bad news ahead of next week's clash with Italy, captain Refiloe Jane was stretchered off with a suspected ankle injury, while Kholosa Biyana will be ineligible after back-to-back yellow cards.
