Meanwhile, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw was part of Jamaica claiming a point against titans France before being shown a second yellow card in the closing minutes of the match.
City’s stars were in full force in the fourth day of the World Cup and this time it was Angeldahl and Shaw who looked to bring their fine form at club level to their respective national teams.
Sweden, the third best side in the women’s game, knew their first game of the tournament wasn’t going to be easy as they faced the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations champions in Wellington, New Zealand.
Angeldahl forced South Africa’s Kaylin Swart to perform an acrobatic save as her cross floated dangerously towards the back post with Stina Blackstenius coming close to finding the opener had it not been for the goalkeeper.
But it was their opposition who scored first, with Hildah Magaia finding the back of the net in the 48th minute to ensure South Africa’s second ever goal at a World Cup finals.
Sweden retaliated quickly with Frida Rolfo’s touch deflected into the goal by Lebohang Ramalepe in the 65th minute.
Angeldahl was substituted for Hanna Bennison two minutes later as Sweden utilised fresh legs in search of a second goal which came in the 90th minute courtesy of Ilestedt.
A few hours after Sweden’s success, Shaw was experiencing a mix of elation and frustration.
Jamaica won their first ever point at a World Cup but she will be missing for their next group game against Panama due to a red card handed out in the closing moments of this tie.
Facing France in your opening game of the 2023 tournament is tough for any national team, but Jamaica stuck to their game plan and it worked.
Relying on their captain Shaw, France looked nervous when the striker had the ball but managed to restrict their opponents to just two shots on target.
Shaw almost gave her nation the lead as her long-range free-kick flew just wide of the left post in the first half.
Shaw was booked in the closing stages of the opening 45 for a late tackle on Sakina Karchaoui which would later haunt the striker. She received a second yellow card five minutes before full-time for a challenge on Wendie Renard.
But it would not take away from Jamaica’s historic night as they held off one of the world’s best teams to win their first point in the history of the competition.
They will face Panama, without Shaw, on Saturday 29 July at 13:30 (UK). Angeldahl and Sweden will also return to action on Saturday 29 July as they face Italy at 08:30 (UK).
