Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Former World Cup winner Norway got off to a flying start at USA '03 with a 2-0 victory over debutante France in the competition's opening match Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The win moved the Norwegians to 8-0-3 all-time against the French, while outscoring them 17 to one. Goals from veterans Anita Rapp and Dagny Mellgren vaulted Norway to the top of Group B, while France went to the basement after one match.

Norway was finally rewarded for its dominating first half of play when Rapp put the 1995 World Cup champions in the lead when she flicked home a free kick from Brit Sandaune at the near post in the 47th minute.

France fought back valiantly and nearly leveled the match when Corinne Diacre split the Norwegian defense, but Bente Nordby was quick off her line before Marinette Pichon could hit it home in the 63rd minute.

Two short minutes later, Mellgren put the nail in France's coffin when French 'keeper Celine Marty botched a long ball in the air, losing control, as Mellgren cooly finished in the net for her 38th international strike in her 72nd appearance to give Norway the two-goal lead.

Norway dominated the first stanza but ultimately failed by their horrid free- kick opportunities. Despite the French gifting the Norwegians a plethora of goal-sighted re-starts, France was able to weather the offensive onslaught.

The Scandinavians' best chance came in the 22nd minute when Unni Lehn sent in a cross from the left for Solveig Gulbrandsen to snap off a goal-bound header. France 'keeper Marty was up to the task, parrying the ball over the crossbar.

Marty proved to be the busiest player on the field in the opening 45 minutes, with Norway reeling off nine shots to France's four.

France finally got a chance 10 minutes before the break, but Hoda Lattaf mis- hit a volley on a free-kick cross from Diacre. The French remained on the attack, however, forcing Nordby into a superb save on a well- struck offering by Elodie Woock from 20 yards in the 39th minute.

But Rapp nearly put Norway ahead just a breath later when she chipped over Marty's head, but the far post proved the culprit in keeping the match level on 40 minutes.

Next up for Norway is a Wednesday date with fellow USA '99 semifinalist Brazil, while the French battle South Korea, also on Wednesday.

MATCH NOTES: Norway is now 15-4-0 all-time in the Women's World Cup in 19 matches. Only the U.S. holds a better record at 16-1-1.