Canada wasted a brilliant effort by goalkeeper Erin McLeod on Wednesday, dropping a 2-1 decision to Norway in its opening Group C game at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Hangzhou, China.

McLeod, Canada's backup goalkeeper, made half a dozen fantastic saves, but she couldn't stop Ane Stangeland Horpestad's effort on goal in the 83rd minute, as Norway battled back from a deficit to grind out the victory.

Norway's Ragnhild Gulbrandsen celebrates after scoring against Canada.
(Ng Han Guan/Associated Press)

Canada, currently No. 9 in the FIFA world rankings, is winless in nine games (eight losses, one draw) against Norway, ranked fourth, at the World Cup.

Candice Chapman scored in the first half to give Canada a lead it held until the 52nd minute.

Canadian coach Even Pellerud, who guided his native Norway to the title at the 1995 World Cup in Sweden, watched the game from the stands. He was serving a one-game suspension resulting from an ejection last year against the United States.

Ian Bridge, who coached many of the women at the under-19 championships in 2002, said it was a performance Canada can build on heading into matches against Ghana and Australia.

"As a team, I thought we played an excellent first half and had a few more chances than Norway," said Bridge. "But we knew we would have to hang on for a long time after we scored and ultimately we were just worn down by a very strong Norway team who played an excellent tactical and technical game."

Also missing was starting goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, a veteran of two World Cups, who injured her shoulder earlier this week in training.

Norway dictated the pace of the game for the opening 30 minutes, keeping Canada on its toes with some slick passing and quick ball movement. The Canadians struggled to find their rhythm at first, but quickly found their footing and looked more solid and dangerous as the game progressed.

Martina Franko's goal was controversially disallowed by the referee for goalkeeper interference, but Canada took the lead shortly after in the 33rd minute.

Midfielder Sophie Schmidt played a long, high pass over the Norwegian defence to Christine Sinclair and the Canadian forward worked her way into the penalty box before the ball fell to the feet of Chapman, who smacked it past Norwegian goalkeeper Bente Nordby.

"I think that we did a great job," Chapman said. "But it was a hard and tough game, especially in the second half.

"We all felt nervous, but I think we'll be better in our next match."

Norway came close to levelling the score in the 41st minute, but Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod made a fantastic diving save on Ingvild Stensland, tipping the Norwegian's shot just over the crossbar.

The Norwegians tied things up early in the second when Ragnhild Gulbrandsen scored on a header, despite being sandwiched between two Canadian defenders.

Gulbrandsen should have scored three minutes later, but McLeod made another great save to deny the Norwegian from close range.

Norway continued to pour it on and put the Canadians under constant pressure, but MacLeod made another great diving save on Lene Mykjaland.

On the ensuing corner kick, though, Stangeland Horpestad notched the game-winning goal, scoring on a header after the Canadian defence failed to clear the ball.

"I'm not a goal scorer, I think I have only ever scored two goals for the national team, so I'm very happy right now," said Stangeland Horpestad. "It's an amazing feeling, particularly as it was such an important goal."

Ghana no match for Australia

Earlier on Wednesday, Australia notched its first win in the women's World Cup, beating Ghana 4-1.

Australia, winless in the previous three tournaments, took the lead in the 14th minute, when Ghana failed to clear its defensive line and Sarah Walsh scored on a left-footed shot.

Lisa De Vanna hit the crossbar with her first shot on net early in the second half and then made it 2-0 when she knocked home Walsh's cross in the 57th minute.

Heather Garriock scored on a header in the 69th to stretch Australia's advantage, but Ghana narrowed the deficit moments later when Anita Amankwa scored for the Africans.

In the 81st minute Garriock's long pass prompted Ghana goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana to rush off her goal-line. But when Sulemana couldn't reach the ball, De Vanna slotted it into the open net.

Australia and Norrway are tied for first place in Group C with three points, ahead of Canada and Ghana. The top two teams in each group move on to the quarter-finals.

Team Canada has been living and training together since January, a first for a Canadian soccer team. The current squad will try to improve on Canada's fourth-place finish at the 2003 World Cup.

All four Group C teams are in action again Saturday. The Canadians' next game is against Ghana (CBC, 4:45 a.m. ET), while Australia takes on Norway (CBC Country Canada, 7:45 a.m. ET). Both games will be streamed live on CBCSports.ca.