Hangzhou, China (My Sportsbook) - Ane Stangeland Horpestad scored in the 81st minute to help Norway complete a 2-1 comeback win over Canada in the Group C opener for both teams on Wednesday.

Candace-Marie Chapman scored the opening goal in the 33rd minute to give Canada a 1-0 lead at halftime. However, goals from Ragnhild Gulbrandsen and Stangeland Horpestad in the second half allowed Norway to escape with the win and join Australia, which downed Ghana 4-1 on Wednesday, at the top of the group with three points.

The loss continues a frustrating trend for the North American side, which is now 0-8-1 all time against Norway, and 0-7 in the World Cup against European teams.

Norway will face Australia on Saturday with the top spot in the group on the line, while Canada will also be in action on Saturday when it tries to rebound and pick up three points against Ghana.

The first chance of the match fell to Melissa Wiik of Norway after a poor job of clearing the ball by the Canadian defense. A chip from midfield for Wiik was headed by a defender, but it went straight up and allowed Wiik to pick up the ball inside the box on the left. She then drove a shot toward goal from close range with her left foot but it went over the net.

After a slow start, Canada began to work its long-ball attack and apply pressure to the Norway defense. The Canadians thought they had a goal in the 32nd minute when a free kick by Kristina Kiss was floated into the six-yard box and Melissa Tancredi went up with Norway keeper Bente Nordby. The keeper spilled a rebound and Tancredi was there to knock it home, but she was called for a foul on Nordby.

Moments later, Canada found the opener with some nice creative play by captain Christine Sinclair. The star striker took a pass on the left flank and dribbled the ball into the area, drawing three defenders. She had the ball knocked away, but it fell to Chapman 10 yards from goal and she smacked a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

Norway started to string some passes together toward the end of the half and nearly found the equalizer in the 41st minute. Midfielder Ingvild Stensland had the ball 25 yards from goal and decided to test Canada keeper Erin McLeod with a well-placed shot. McLeod was up to the task, however, and she made a nice diving stop to knock the ball over the net.

The second half was a completely different story, with Norway stringing together short passes and putting Canada back on its heels.

Gunhild Folstad set up Norway's opening goal in the 52nd minute when she got forward and served up a cross from the right near the end line. Gulbrandsen held off her defender and sent a glancing header into the far corner from a few yards out to even the match.

Gulbrandsen was nearly handed the go-ahead goal minutes later when Canadian defender Martina Franko knocked the ball right to Gulbrandsen in front of the net. Fortunately for Franko, the Norwegian striker fired right at the keeper and the game remained 1-1.

McLeod was called upon once again when a lobbed pass into the area was redirected on net by a Gulbrandsen header, forcing a nice diving stop from the keeper. She gave up a rebound to Gulbrandsen from close range but the Norwegian blasted the ball off the outside of the net.

The Canadian defense finally collapsed with 10 minutes to play when Lene Mykjaland danced between two defenders and put a shot on target that was knocked away by McLeod.

Norway then moved in front for good on the ensuing corner kick. Gulbrandsen continued to cause problems for Canada as she got a head on the cross and headed it past the goalie. Canadian midfielder Diana Matheson was there to prevent a goal and clear the ball off the line, but Stangeland Horpestad was able to collect the ball and knock home the game winner.