USA Olympic football player Heather Mitts (left) fights for the ball with Norway's Melissa Wiik during Group G match at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Qinhuangdao, yesterday. - AP

QINHUANGDAO, China (AP)

Norway jumped on the United States from the opening whistle, getting two goals in the first four minutes yesterday to beat the US women's football team 2-0 at the Beijing Olympics.

Norway looked like the medal contender they're supposed to be, while the Americans never looked the part.

Leni Laursen Kaurin outmuscled US defender Lori Chalupny to head the ball over charging goalkeeper Hope Solo and into an open net in the second minute.

Two minutes later, Melissa Wiik latched onto a deep pass on the right side after the US lost the ball in midfield. The Norwegian then outpaced US captain Christie Rampone and curled a right-footed shot past Solo and just inside the far post.

"We are satisfied," Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen said. "We are very grateful for the tremendous start we had in this game."

"After the great start, I think we played a very, very good defensive game, and there were very few big chances for the United States."