Spain's Jennifer Hermoso, center, on her way to scoring her teams first goal, on a penalty shot, during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Spain and South Africa at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France, Saturday, June 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
LE HAVRE, France (AP) - Spain won a game at the Women's World Cup for the first time, beating South Africa 3-1 on Saturday behind two penalty kicks by Jennifer Hermoso.
Spain, ranked No. 13 in the world, finished last in its group four years ago in Canada, the country's only other appearance in the tournament.
Thembi Kgatlana scored in the 25th minute, dodging two defenders before putting her shot in the upper corner and out of goalkeeper Sandra Panos' reach. South Africa, ranked 49th, was making its first World Cup appearance.
Hermoso's first penalty kick tied it in the 69th minute after South Africa captain Janine Van Wyk was called for a hand ball. She made her second in the 82nd minute, again beating goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. Lucia Garcia added the final goal for Spain in the 89th minute.
It was the second Group B match of the day: Earlier the second-ranked Germans defeated China 1-0 in Rennes.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana jubilates after she scored the match's first goal during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Spain and South Africa at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France, Saturday, June 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
Spain's Jennifer Hermoso, left, jubilates with teammates after scoring her teams second goal, on a penalty shot, during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Spain and South Africa at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France, Saturday, June 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
South Africa's Bambanani Mbane, left, congratulates teammate South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana after she scored the matchs first goal during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Spain and South Africa at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France, Saturday, June 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press