¡¡¡¡FOXBORO, Massachusetts, Oct. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Abby Wambach headed in the winner as the United States beat Norway 1-0 Wednesday to advance to the semifinal of the 2003 Women's World Cup here today.

¡¡¡¡The U.S. team will meet the winners of Thursday's quarterfinal match between Germany and Russia in the semifinal.

¡¡¡¡Averaging 3.67 goals per game in the preliminary round, the Americans took full advantage of a surprising substitution in the 23rd minute to score the winner.

¡¡¡¡Forward Anita Rapp replaced the disappointing Trine Ronning midway through the first half when the U.S. team earned a free-kick at the top of the box.

¡¡¡¡Before Rapp inserted herself into the position, the free-kick had been fired out and Wambach headed it back into the net withouta look of the goal.

¡¡¡¡Referee Nicole Petignat of Switzerland awarded the U.S. team a controversial penalty in the 66th minute, but Mia Hamm missed the penalty to extend the lead.

¡¡¡¡Wambach ran down into the box when Norway's keeper Bente Nordbyheaded out. The footage showed that Wambach stepped onto Nordby'sleg, but Petignat pointed to the spot.

¡¡¡¡Norway did not have clear chance to pull back an equalizer throughout the game. Enditem