Football: Pettersen clinches Norway victory

NORWAY OPENED the defence of their Women's World Cup title with a 2-1 victory over Russia in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Brit Sandaune and Marianne Pettersen scored the goals in Norway's Group C victory before a crowd of 14,873 at Foxboro Stadium on Sunday.

In the day's opening match Australia fell victim to a late goal by Ghana, who had to play the majority of the game with 10 players, and settled for a 1-1 draw in a Group D contest. Australia broke through in the 74th minute as Julie Murray made a strong run down the right side before slotting home from 10 yards. But Ghana pulled level just two minutes later. Vivian Mensah forced goalkeeper Tracey Wheeler to make a diving save to her left only for the unmarked Nana Gyamfua to poke the ball home from close range.

At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Nigeria won their first-ever World Cup match in front of acrowd of 17,102. Rita Nwadike scored in the 78th minute to lift Nigeria to a 2-1 victory over North Korea in a Group A clash. Nigeria seized the lead for the first time through Mercy Aikde in the 50th minute, only for North Korea to equalise with a 74th minute goal by Song Ok Jo.

Germany and Italy drew 1-1 in their Group B match.