China crash out

Jin Yan of China shields the ball from Hege Riise

A late strike from substitute Margunn Haugenes clinched victory for Norway at the expense of China and knocked out the 1996 silver medallists.

Haugenes' curling shot into the top corner of Gao Hong's goal in the 78th minute clinched a deserved 2-1 victory for the Norwegians, who now advance to the semi-finals to face Germany.

It meant heartbreak for the Chinese, who must have felt that Sun Wen 's penalty in the 75th minute at the Bruce Stadium was enough to earn them the semi-final spot.

But the Norwegians did not get disheartened and swept forward to clinch victory.

Physically superior

China had looked the marginally better side during a dour first-half which saw the physically superior Scandinavians attempt to muscle the Chinese out of contention.

The Norwegians committed nine fouls to China's two, with Gro Espeseth deservedly getting booked shortly before the break for a blatant check on Liu Ailing.

Neither side was able to create much in the way of chances however, the best effort coming when Solveig Gulbrandsen lashed a shot goalwards only for Gao Hong to save well.

The match exploded into life soon after the break however when the Norwegians took the lead.

Hege Riise swung in a teasing cross from the left flank and Marianne Pettersen was on hand to nip between the Chinese defence and glance in a header on 55 minutes.

That strike certainly gave the Chinese a fright and they immediately mounted an offensive.

Dubious

But their equaliser came in dubious circumstances, with Espeseth harshly adjudged to have handballed when a shot cannoned into her.

With China only needing a draw to progress and Norway needing to win, the Asian champions appeared to be heading for the semi-finals.

But Haugenes latched on to a long ball, held off her marker and curled in a well taken shot to give the Norwegians the win.

The United States, led by the inspirational Mia Hamm, had an easier task and defeated Nigeria 3-1 with goals from Brandi Chastain on 26 minutes and Kristine Lilly on 35 minutes.

Shannon MacMillan scored the United States' third while Mercy Akide bagged a consolation strike for Nigeria.

The US women will now play Brazil in the semi-finals.