OTTAWA, Ontario – Lucy Bronze scored in the 76th minute, and England rallied to beat Norway 2-1 Monday night for its first knockout-stage victory at the Women’s World Cup.
Steph Houghton began the comeback for sixth-ranked England with a 61st-minute goal. The Three Lionesses, who failed to win a knockout match in three previous World Cup appearances, advanced to a quarterfinal on Friday against host Canada at Vancouver, British Columbia.
The 11th-ranked Norwegians, the 1995 champion, had yet another disappointing World Cup. Norway finished fourth in 2007, then was eliminated in the group stage four years ago.
Solveig Gulbrandsen put Norway ahead in the 54th minute with a glancing header off the back of her head that hit the underside of the crossbar and just went over the goal line.
