'Nervous' Sweden Survive South Africa Scare at World Cup

Sweden's players celebrate after winning against South Africa. Marty MELVILLE / AFP
Sweden's players celebrate after winning against South Africa. Marty MELVILLE / AFP
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'Nervous' Sweden Survive South Africa Scare at World Cup

Sweden's players celebrate after winning against South Africa. Marty MELVILLE / AFP
Sweden's players celebrate after winning against South Africa. Marty MELVILLE / AFP

A "nervous" Sweden fought back and struck late on to grab a 2-1 win over South Africa in their Women's World Cup opener on Sunday in the Wellington rain.

The third-ranked Swedes conjured up the winner in the 90th minute through defender Amanda Ilestedt, much to the relief of their fans in the miserable conditions, AFP said.

A goal early in the second half by Hildah Magaia -- in which she suffered a match-ending injury -- gave the African champions hope of an upset.

But that was cancelled out by Barcelona star Fridolina Rolfo soon afterwards, before Ilestedt's late intervention, heading home from close range. It denied South Africa a first point ever at the World Cup.

Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said "nerves and tension" were behind a shaky start to their World Cup campaign.

The players were also too conservative, he said, something that would be addressed before their second Group G match against Italy.

"It's ok to be nervous but you need to have the courage to still make that pass," Gerhardsson said.

"Somewhere we need to dare. The players should feel that they have that courage. Sometimes, like today, they might choose that simpler option rather than a more difficult decision.

"I do hope we'll be more courageous in our match against Italy."

Sweden dominated possession but failed to adapt to cold, slippery conditions.

Regarded as one of the tournament favorites but with a history of near-misses at the World Cup, the Swedes delivered a host of wayward crosses in the first half.

They also looked prone to being caught out by the pace of their opponents.

South Africa's 48th-minute goal was set up Thembi Kgatlana, whose speed got behind the defense before her cross was parried by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.

It was bundled in by Magaia, who was tripped at full speed in the process by Jonna Andersson and flew into the goal netting.

The 28-year-old Korean-based striker was treated for several minutes and exited the game soon afterwards, receiving a standing ovation from South African supporters during a distraught circuit of the field.

Rolfo's 65th-minute equalizer was also messy, scuffing her shot after South Africa failed to clear a Johanna Kaneryd cross.

The shot struck defender Lebohang Ramalepe, who was initially credited with an own goal but it was later awarded to Rolfo -- her 26th goal for her country.

Ilestedt, who was a constant aerial threat, then leapt highest at a corner to bring heartache for South Africa, who lost all three matches in their maiden World Cup appearance four years ago.

'Cruel'
Arsenal defender Ilestedt said coming from behind to win would provide a psychological boost.

"I felt that after we conceded the goal we really got into match a bit more and put pressure on them," she said.

"We are really positive about the win. Really happy."

South Africa coach Desiree Ellis said it was "cruel" her team didn't come away with at least a point.

"On this performance, even though it was a loss, we're very proud of the way we played," she said.

"We had a game plan and they did exactly what we thought they were going to do.

"Decisions in the final third, if that was better, we'd be speaking about a different result right now."

Italy and Argentina play in the group on Monday.



Verstappen Blames Frustration for a ‘Move That Was Not Right’ After Colliding with Russell 

Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 31, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen reacts after qualifying in third place. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 31, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen reacts after qualifying in third place. (Reuters)
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Verstappen Blames Frustration for a ‘Move That Was Not Right’ After Colliding with Russell 

Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 31, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen reacts after qualifying in third place. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 31, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen reacts after qualifying in third place. (Reuters)

Max Verstappen said Monday that frustration caused “a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened”, a day after he initially seemed unrepentant over his collision with George Russell at Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Before the collision, Verstappen had been asked by his Red Bull team to give up a place to Russell. It followed an earlier incident between the two drivers when Russell had tried to get past Verstappen, who went off the track.

The race stewards ruled Verstappen had “suddenly accelerated” before the collision and Russell said it “felt very deliberate”. The stewards gave Verstappen a 10-second penalty which dropped him from fifth to 10th and left him 49 points off standings leader Oscar Piastri, who won Sunday's race.

“We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out. Our tire choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fueled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened,” Verstappen wrote on Instagram.

“I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high. You win some together, you lose some together. See you (at the next race) in Montreal.”

Initially in the aftermath of Sunday's race, Verstappen had said that “next time I will bring a tissue”, responding to Russell claiming he set a poor example for young drivers. Russell finished fourth.

The collision followed a series of setbacks for Verstappen, who had been in third and pressuring the two McLaren drivers in front before the safety car came out.

Red Bull decided to bring Verstappen into the pits for fresh tires, even though the only ones he had left were slower hard-compound tires, a type that no other driver used.

At the restart, Verstappen lost grip and was overtaken by Charles Leclerc, whose Ferrari made contact with Verstappen's Red Bull. Neither driver was ruled at fault for that.

Verstappen then went off the track while defending against Russell and Red Bull asked Verstappen to give up the place to Russell, apparently because the team expected Verstappen would be given a penalty. The stewards later ruled they wouldn't have taken action against the Dutch driver for that incident.

Risking a suspension Verstappen needs to be careful in the next two races because the penalty for the collision with Russell also brought him penalty points on his license, taking him to 11 in the last 12 months. Drivers get a one-race suspension if they hit 12 points in a year.

Two of those points expire at the end of the month, but until then Verstappen needs to get through the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix without any further penalty points.