Norway make winning start

Norway overturned a half-time deficit to get their FIFA Women's World Cup campaign off to a winning start against Canada, Ane Stangeland scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory.

Leading by example
Norway went into today's match in Hangzhou with confidence high, only to fall behind in the 33rd minute when Candace-Marie Chapman found the net for Canada after being teed up by Christine Sinclair. Raghnild Gulbrandsen, the veteran striker who was among the scorers when Norway won Olympic gold in 2000, drew the 1995 world champions level with a fine header in the 52nd minute. Captain Stangeland was the hero, though, wrapping up maximum points nine minutes from time when poking the ball in from close range.

Australia next
Bjarne Berntsen's side are next in action on Sunday when they will be vying for section supremacy with Australia, the Matildas having beaten Ghana 4-1 in today's early game to record a first victory at the ninth attempt at this level. Goals from Kate Walsh, Lisa De Vanna and Heather Garriock put Australia in charge and although Anita Amankwa got one back, De Vanna completed the scoring.