South Africa took a two-goal lead but were pegged back by Argentina's second-half revival. Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana found the net, before Sophia Braun and Romina Nunez levelled the scores, both nations have one point having played two Group G games
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Argentina and South Africa had to settle for an exciting 2-2 draw in their Women's World Cup Group G clash at Dunedin Stadium, keeping both teams alive in the tournament but with slim chances of progression.
The South Americans had to fight back from 2-0 down after the Africans scored goals through Linda Motlhalo on the half-hour mark and Thembi Kgatlana in the 66th minute.
Motlhalo tapped the ball into the net from a Kgatlana pass after the winger had raced onto a long ball with the Argentine defenders standing still assuming she was offside. VAR confirmed Kgatlana had been behind the last defender.
For all their neat approach work, Argentina looked unable to threaten Kaylin Swart in the South African goal and their first attempt on target did not arrive until the second half.
In the 74th minute, though, Sophia Braun launched a stunning long-range strike that curled into the corner of the net to cut the deficit in half, before Romina Nunez's header five minutes later levelled up the scores.
The entertaining draw leaves both sides with a single point - South Africa's first in five World Cup matches - and highly unlikely to progress from a group also containing European powers Sweden and Italy, who play on Saturday.
"It is about taking our chances," said South Africa coach Desiree Ellis. "That's the problem, we don't take them, it comes back at us every time. If we had taken our chances we would have had a different conversation.
"It is fantastic we got our first point but three would have been better, it's like you hand me a chocolate and then take it away, and I love chocolate."
Argentina will now face Sweden on Wednesday, while South Africa play Italy at the same time with both teams looking for a historic first round-of-16 berth.
"We never gave up and we played our hearts out. We wanted to win but we are happy with this comeback," midfielder Braun said. "We are looking forward to playing Sweden. It will be another battle and we are ready for it."
England beat Denmark 1-0
Lauren James' stunning opener inside six minutes saw England to victory in Sydney. Keira Walsh was stretchered off in the first half with a knee injury and was later seen on crutches. Amalie Vangsgaard hit the post late on for Denmark as England on the brink of the last 16.
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Lauren James' stunning goal on her first World Cup start saw England beat Denmark 1-0 to put them on the brink of the last 16, although it appears likely that they will be missing Keira Walsh after the midfielder was stretchered off with a knee injury.
Chelsea's James was a welcome sight in the starting XI after a lacklustre showing against Haiti in England's tournament opener. She thundered home from 20 yards (6), thus announcing herself on the world stage.
But England's joy did not last long as talismanic midfielder Walsh went down just after the half hour, clutching her knee. She immediately signalled to the bench, and was taken off on a stretcher a few minutes later.
Giving an update after the game, England manager Sarina Wiegman told BBC Sport: "I know nothing about Keira's injury. It looked serious, if you get stretchered off it looks serious, but I don't know. She'll probably go for a scan but I've not heard anything.
"I think they did a great job to pick it up [after the injury] but of course it's not nice to see a player on the pitch where it's clear she has to be stretchered off.
"In the second half, we really had to fight for the win and that's what we did."
Even before Walsh's injury, the Lionesses were being punished by Denmark for their sloppy errors, and almost conceded a late equaliser.
Denmark had scored late on to beat China in their opening game, and almost netted at a similar time in Sydney. However, Amalie Vangsgaard's header hit the post and went wide, with Mary Earps needed again to see England to victory.
The Lionesses are now top of Group D with six points - although two unconvincing performances - with Denmark remaining second, although they are level on points and goal difference with China, who beat Haiti 1-0 later on Friday. England will be aiming for at least a draw in their final group game against China on Tuesday to be sure of their spot in the knockout rounds.
It took just six minutes for James to show why so many were clamouring for her to start. She picked up the ball on the left, cutting across the top of the area before unleashing a stunning strike from 20 yards that rifled into the far corner.
England continued to see chances fall their way. Chloe Kelly attempted a spectacular overhead kick, but it went wide. James then had two efforts in quick succession, but both attempts went straight at Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen.
Team news headlines
England made two changes with Lauren James and Rachel Daly coming in for Lauren Hemp and Jess Carter.
Denmark made three changes from their opening win against China, with three of the starting XI playing for Everton in the WSL.
Denmark should have equalised as sloppiness from England handed them a series of chances. Rikke Madsen lashed an effort across the face of goal before Janni Thomsen lifted an effort over the bar. Pernille Harder also sent a shot straight into Earps' arms.
England's game got significantly harder as Walsh was stretchered off after she caught her foot in the turf, jarring her knee and instantly signalling to the bench to be substituted. After a spell with the England medical staff, she was carried off the pitch with Laura Coombs on in her place.
The first half was more subdued afterwards as England saw the game out until half time, but started strongly after the break. However, the cutting edge was lacking once again as promising attacks broke down before any balls could worry the Danish defence.
Denmark could have levelled too after more lax play from the Lionesses but Kathrine Kuhl fired a low shot at Earps. Lucy Bronze then smashed a header over the crossbar from a succession of England corners, before a quiet Alessia Russo hammered an effort into the side of the net.
England player ratings
England: Earps (8), Bronze (6), Bright (6), Greenwood (7), Daly (6), Stanway (7), Walsh (7), James (8), Toone (6), Kelly (7), Russo (6).
Subs used: Coombs (7), England (7), Hemp (7).
Earps continued to keep England ahead, making another fine save in the 73rd minute when Katrine Veje attempted a Katie McCabe-esque direct corner, but the goalkeeper palmed the effort away. Denmark hit the post late on as Vangsgaard nipped in between the defender to head the ball goalwards, but could only find the upright.
England clung on until the final whistle to all-but secure their place in the knockout rounds, although questions still remain around their overall performances.
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