Defending champions Norway became the first team to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup soccer tournament with a crushing 7-1 win over Canada.

Forward Ann Kristin Aarones, who missed Norway's opening match with a knee injury and a virus, led the onslaught with two goals before a crowd of 16,448 at Maryland.

In a Group D match Sweden picked up their first victory with a 3-1 win over Australia.

Aarones struck in the eighth minute, beating goalkeeper Ricci Wright from six metres.

Charmaine Hooper equalised for Canada, in the 31st minute before Aarones brought her World Cup goal tally to eight when she headed home from six metres five minutes later. Norway totally dominated the second half and Unni Lehn gave the Cup holders a two-goal advantage before Hege Riise (54th), Linda Medalen (62nd), Marianne Pettersen (76th) and second-half sub Solveig Gulbrandsen (87th) all found the Canadian net.

Sweden took advantage of some Australia defensive errors with a goal in each half from Hanna Ljungberg.