Norwegian women ride on Mellgren’s golden goal

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Sydney: Norway won the women's Olympic soccer title when they beat the reigning Olympic and World Champions, the United States, 3-2 with a dramatic golden goal winner on Thursday.

Substitute Dagny Mellgren scored the decisive goal after 102 minutes of a pulsating match which saw the US force extra time with an equaliser 20 seconds from the end.

There was a hint of handball about Mellgren's winner although it was more a case of ball to arm - which is legal - after it bounced off American defender Joy Fawcett.

American goal-keeper Siri Mullinix, at fault for Norway's second goal, was slow to get down to Mellgren's shot, which slid under her arm and into the net to give Norway its first gold medal of the Games.

The match represents an end of an era for the American women's team. Not only have they lost the Olympic title they won in 1996, but Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and July Foudy, who have all done so much to popularise women's football in the US, are all set to retire.

They thought they were going out winners - but they have to be content with the silver medal.



(c) Reuters Limited.