Norway draws top-ranked Germany 1-1 at Women's WCup

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Norway's Maren Mjelde scored from a free kick in the second half to secure a fortunate 1-1 draw against Germany in Thursday's clash of former champions at the Women's World Cup.

In other results, China scored the sole goal in stoppage time to beat the Netherlands, host Canada was held to a scoreless draw by New Zealand, and Thailand beat Ivory Coast to effectively eliminate the African team.

Germany's Anja Mittag put the two-time champions ahead in the sixth minute, chipping past Ingrid Hjelmseth after the goalkeeper failed to control Dzsenifer Marozsan's shot.

Mjelde equalized when she curled in a free kick from just outside the penalty area in the 61st minute.

Germany could not find a second goal despite dominating the match, outshooting the Norwegians 27-4.

Both teams have four points from two games, and only a shock loss by Germany against Thailand in their last group game could prevent the two favorites from advancing to the knockout rounds.

China's Wang Lisi scored in the first minute of stoppage time to lift the Asian power to a 1-0 win against the Netherlands.

Wang took a pass from midfield by Tan Ruyin in the penalty area and was able to tap the ball just inside the far post past Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenenedaal, who was charging forward to challenge the play.

China dominated play, generating 26 shots, 10 on goal, compared to six shots, three on goal, for the Netherlands. China had the better of possession, with 59 percent.

Both teams have three points from two games, a point behind Group A leader Canada. In the last round of group games, the Netherlands will take on Canada and China faces New Zealand.

Canada was frustrated by New Zealand in a scoreless game that was interrupted by heavy storms and lightning and delayed for half an hour.

Canada had a couple of quality chances midway through the first half, but New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler turned aside attempts by Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair in the 22nd and 23rd minutes.

In the 31st minute, New Zealand was awarded a penalty after a hard tackle in the area, but Amber Hearn — New Zealand's all-time leading international goal scorer — hit the crossbar.

Canada's Melissa Tancredi appeared to have scored just before halftime, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Tancredi had another golden opportunity on a breakaway in the 76th minute, but Nayler covered the shot with a sliding save.

In the 85th minute, Sinclair fired just wide from the top of the 6-yard box.

Thailand kept alive its hopes of reaching the knockout stage and all but eliminated Ivory Coast with a 3-2 victory.

Ivory Coast opened the scoring just four minutes in. A corner kick pinballed in the 6-yard box until Ange Nguessan was able to get her left foot on it and beat Thailand goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing.

Thailand equalized in the 26th minute when Anootsara Maijarern took a seemingly offside long feed on the left wing and passed to Orathai Srimanee, who volleyed it past goalkeeper Dominique Thaimale.

Orathai made it 2-1 in first half stoppage time, heading home a ball from Rattikan Thongsombut. The ball hit the crossbar and came straight down, but a review confirmed it had crossed the goal line.

The Thais added an insurance goal when Thanatta Chawong scored in the 75th minute.

Josee Nahi cut the deficit to one in the 88th minute, but an attempt by Christine Lohoues in stoppage time hit the crossbar.

Thailand has three points from two games and, barring a shock result against Germany in its last game, will likely finish third in the group and hope to be among the four best-performed third-placed teams in order to progress.

Ivory Coast would need a big win against Norway and a heavy loss by Thailand if it is to displace Thailand for third place.