CARSON, Calif. - Marina Saenko got one goal and started

another scoring play as Russia beat Ghana 3-0 Thursday in the

Women's World Cup.

The Russians improved to 2-0 in Group D. They opened with a 2-1

victory over Australia and next face China, heavily favored to win

the group. The top two teams advance.

Saenko scored on a free kick in the 36th minute, Natalia

Barbachina made it 2-0 in the 54th and Olga Letyushova capped the

scoring with a close-range volley in the 80th minute.

Russia goalkeeper Alla Volkova, sometimes rushing to the top of

the box to turn away scoring threats, was particularly effective

when Ghana had breakaways.

Russia counterattacked much of the game. Ghana was especially

aggressive on the attack after falling behind by two. Volkova twice

rushed out to block shots after Ghana had gotten behind the

defense.

Saenko scored on a hard drive from just outside the top left

corner of the box that curled around the defensive wall and sailed

into the top left corner of the net.

Ghana goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana lunged for the ball, but had

no chance.

Another free kick by Saenko began the sequence for the second

score. Letyushova got off a header, and the ball struck the base of

the right post. Barbachina pounced on the rebound while the ball

was still in the air, and banged the ball high into the net while

Sulemana was sprawled on the ground.

Letyushova scored on a volley after a scramble in front of the

net.