LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Benedetta Orsi, the Italy defender, has made a costly mistake in her World Cup debut by scoring an embarrassing own goal from 25 yards out.
Orsi went toward her own goal after receiving the ball from teammate Elena Linari and attempted a dangerous backpass to goalkeeper Francesca Durante, but it disastrously backfired.
It was impossible for Italy’s goalkeeper to reach it as it zipped through the wet pitch and into the bottom corner, and the error may have had grave repercussions.
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South Africa’s goal tied the game, increasing the tension as Italy seeks to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds.
Italy will still go to the round of 16, but considering their domination over South Africa in the first half, Milena Bertolini’s team will be aiming to further secure their advancement with a decisive goal in their last group match.
Italy will play the Netherlands, one of the hardest teams in the competition, if they manage to advance out of Group G as runners-up. The Netherlands won Group E with 7 points and scored 9 goals in the process.