Today is the 30th anniversary of the first Women's World Cup Final
USA defeated Norway 2-1 in Guangzhou, China PR in front of 63,000 fans
FIFA.com celebrates the milestone with videos, quotes and stats
The inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup was a coming-of-age moment for women's football and the Final, played in front of 63,000 supporters in Guangzhou's Tianhe Stadium, was a true inflection point in its trajectory.
FIFA.com celebrates the 30th anniversary of that momentous day to mark its significance and to appreciate how far the game has come today.
Line-ups
Norway: 1. Reidun Seth; 5. Gunn Lisbeth Nyborg, 8. Heidi Stoere, 16. Tina Svensson; 2. Cathrine Zaborowski (sub 79' 13. Liv Straedet), 4. Gro Espeseth, 6. Agnete Carlsen, 7. Tone Haugen; 9. Hege Riise, 10. Linda Medalen, 11. Birthe Hegstad Coach: Even Pellerud
USA: 1. Mary Harvey; 4. Carla Overbeck, 8. Linda Hamilton; 3. Shannon Higgins, 11. Julie Foudy, 13. Kristine Lilly, 14. Joy Fawcett; 2. April Heinrichs, 9. Mia Hamm, 10 Michelle Akers, 12. Carin Jennings Manager: Anson Dorrance
Goals summary
20' Akers 29' Medalen 78' Akers
Watch highlights of the Final
Chastain explains significance of the first Women's World Cup
"I have an out-of-body experience when I think about being in the first-ever anything," Brandi Chastain told FIFA. "The World Cup has a gravitas to it, it has a weight to it, and women's football at that time in the 90s didn't really have it. It was really building into 1999 before that happened."
Part 1
Part 2
Exclusive interview with the scorer of the first goal in Women's World Cup history
"I am proud of scoring the first Women’s World Cup goal. But I wasn't aware of this when I scored. We were so tense in the opening game and I was totally focused on my play. It was from a set-piece from the right. Wu Weiying's free-kick was so fast that all I needed to do was fling myself and nod in-almost effortlessly."
Take a deeper dive
Watch a mini-documentary called "Raising Their Game: Blazing the way in 1991", taking a closer look at the first Women's World Cup and looking at the emergence of one of the all-time greats, Michelle Akers.
Carin Gabarra, winner of the first adidas Golden Ball award, on her hopes for the future of the women's game
"I want girls to follow their dreams, younger girls to play confidently and to feel like they’re accepted and that they’re athletes, not female athletes, and be able to compete and play at any level they choose."
Current stars reflect on China PR 1991's significance
A trio of current stars featuring Australia's Caitlin Foord, Japan's Mana Iwabuchi and exciting, young talent from England Lauren James sit down to watch highlights of the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup, to observe how far women's football has come, to look ahead to the 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand and more.
The Showcase at the FIFA Museum
The FIFA Museum takes you through an exhibit dedicated to this milestone of women’s football that saw the US national team win its first title.