PORTLAND, Ore. - Alberta Sackey scored a pair of goals to

lead Ghana to its first-ever victory in Women's World Cup

competition, a 2-1 win over Australia on Sunday night.

Ghana's victory in its final Group D match advanced China into

the quarterfinals. China needed a win in the late game against

Russia _ or an Australia loss _ to advance.

Ghana (1-2) went on the attack early. Mavis Dgajmah challenged

Melissa Barbieri with shot that went off the Australia goalkeeper's

fingertips and over the crossbar.

Adjoa Bayor's shot a minute later also hit the crossbar before

sailing into the stands.

Barbieri made a pair of dramatic saves, first tipping Sackey's

hard kick from out in front just over the goal, then fending off

Sackey's header off a corner kick.

But Barbieri wasn't able to stop Sackey's next shot, which

bounced off Australia captain Cheryl Salisbury and over the leaping

goalkeeper's outstretched arms in the 33rd minute.

It was Ghana's first goal of the competition, and second overall

World Cup goal. Nana Gyamfua scored in a 1-1 tie with Australia in

1999.

Sackey then took advantage when Barbieri fell trying to defend

her shot in the 39th minute. Australia defender Dianne Alagich

tried to make the save but the rebound went right back to Sackey,

who scored.

Australia narrowed it in the 66th minute when Heather Garriock

took a pass from Kelly Golebiowski and beat Ghana goalkeeper

Memunatu Sulemana.

Australia finished 0-2-1 and remains winless in World Cup play,

going 0-7-2 in three appearances.

Ghana is now 1-4-1 in two appearances.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 22,000 at PGE

Park, home of the Triple-A Portland Beavers baseball team, and the

soccer's A-League Portland Timbers.