Midfielder Carli Lloyd scored two goals and the United States national women’s team rallied to defeat Norway 2-1 in the Algarve Cup opener for both countries on Wednesday.
After striker Ada Hegerberg netted late in the first for the Norwegians, Lloyd equalized in the 57th minute and added a penalty kick five minutes later at Municipal Stadium.
In her first game back since a 30-day suspension, U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo showed some rustiness. She was caught out of the net in the fourth minute, but Ali Krieger managed to block a shot in front of an empty goal.
Solo could not stop Hegerberg’s 15th international goal in the 43rd minute. The 19-year-old’s header from seven-yards out off a right-sided cross sailed home over Solo’s outstretched arms for a 1-0 Norway lead.
Lloyd, who connected for the game-winner in the last two Olympic women’s gold-medal games, took center stage early in the second half.
First, the 32-year-old standout broke into the penalty area on the left side and fired a shot into the lower right corner for a 1-1 tie in the 57th minute.
Five minutes later, Lloyd converted what proved to be the game-winner. Norway was whistled for a handball for a hand ball in the penalty area on a Christen Press attempt. Lloyd sent her kick from the spot into the upper-right corner to give the CONCACAF champion a 2-1 advantage. It was Lloyd’s 62nd career international tally, good for seventh on the USA career list.
This edition of the Algarve Cup is considered especially critical as nine of the 12 participants will play in this summer FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
The Americans will face Switzerland on Friday and finish group play vs. Iceland on Monday. Placement games are scheduled for Wednesday, March 11.