Norway, Brazil lead parade into final eight

Norway, Australia, Brazil and host China reached the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday, completing the eight-team field ahead of matches this weekend.

On Saturday, the No. 1-ranked United States will face England, and defending champion Germany faces North Korea. On Sunday, Norway faces China in the final eight, and Brazil plays Australia.

“I think if we are at our best, we can go to the semifinals,” Norway Coach Bjarne Berntsen said. “We were very casual in defense at times. We have to be much better defensively in the quarterfinals.”

Here is a look at Thursday’s games:

Norway 7, Ghana 2 -- At Hangzhou, Ragnhild Gulbrandsen had a hat trick -- one goal in the first half and two in the second -- to give her five for the tournament. Norway won its group with seven points.

Australia 2, Canada 2 -- Cheryl Salisbury scored a goal in injury time at Chengdu for the Aussies, who needed only a tie to advance. Canada, which needed a win to advance, had taken the lead in the 85th minute on a goal by Christine Sinclair.

Brazil 1, Denmark 0 -- The Brazilians dominated play at Hangzhou but couldn’t score until the first minute of injury time when substitute Pretinha raced onto a through ball and lifted it over onrushing Danish goalkeeper Heidi Johansen. Brazil won its group with nine points and has not given up a goal.

China 2, New Zealand 0 -- Li Jie and Xie Caixia scored in the second half at Tianjin in China’s victory over New Zealand, which lost its three games.