QINHUANGDAO, China — Forward Melissa Wiik headed an early goal as Norway beat New Zealand 1-0 on Saturday and wrapped up a spot in the quarterfinals in women's football at the Beijing Games.

Wiik darted past defender Katie Hoyle to head in a cross from forward Leni Larsen Kaurin in the eighth minute, and then Norway shut down a young New Zealand side the rest of the way.

"I'm very pleased that we are already through to the quarterfinals," Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen said. "We are very satisfied with two wins in the first two games."

The Norwegians, who are looking to reclaim the Olympic title they won at the 2000 Sydney Games, lead Group G with six points. The United States, which beat Japan 1-0 earlier Saturday, is second with three points.

New Zealand and Japan both have one point, but can still advance to the next round.

Much as it did in its opening 2-0 win against the U.S., Norway started strong as Wiik and Larsen Kaurin challenged New Zealand's defense with sharp runs and through balls.

Larsen Kaurin almost doubled the lead in the 27th minute when she raced down the right side and into the box, but goalkeeper Jenny Bindon stepped out to cut the angle and block the shot with her legs.

Despite lacking the crispness that it showed against the U.S., Norway still had little trouble holding its lead against New Zealand, which is making its women's football debut in Beijing.

"It was a great goal we scored after seven or eight minutes on a very good attack — fast, accurate," Berntsen said. "After that, I was very satisfied with our defensive play. There was I think only one great chance to New Zealand in the first half, and only smaller chances in the second."

New Zealand controlled possession for much of the second half, but was unable to convert it into quality scoring chances.

Forward Kirsty Yallop gave the Kiwis their best opportunity before the break in the 14th minute, but her header sailed over the crossbar, while Hoyle's hard, right-footed drive from 25 meters in the 77th sailed just past the left post.

Still, New Zealand coach John Herdman said his team's performance gives it a boost going into a must-win match against the U.S.

"We always knew that Norway would be disciplined, hard to break down, but we didn't expect that much possession," he said. "We have to beat the USA now to move through, and we can do it. It's a genuine belief after this game, that this team is getting better and better."

Norway plays Japan in its final group G match in Shanghai, while New Zealand faces the U.S. in Shenyang.