The first ever recorded women's football match was played in England back in 1895.

Yet, as the men dominated the game, it would take FIFA another 96 years to put its name to the first female-participated World Cup.

China was selected as the host nation for the 12-nation tournament in 1991, and it would become clear relatively quickly that the USA were the team to beat.

In their three group encounters, the Americans scored 11 goals - a haul which included an impressive 5-0 victory over their Brazilian counterparts.

Then, in the 7-0 quarter-final demolition of Chinese Taipei, striker Michelle Akers scored on five occasions, before Germany were defeated in the last four.

All the while, Norway, having finished second in their group, went about their business quietly. After defeating Italy 3-2 in extra-time in the quarter-finals, they recorded a highly-impressive 4-1 win over fellow Scandinavians Sweden to reach the final against the USA, which was played in Guangzhou 23 years ago today.

In front of a crowd of 63,000 people, USA's Akers broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when her powerful headed effort found the bottom corner of the Norwegian net.

However, just nine minutes later, the European country were level courtesy of striker Linda Medalen's sixth goal of the tournament.

With extra-time looming, the competition's final say fittingly went to Akers, who scored for the 10th time seven minutes from the end to seal the trophy for her team.

Tina Svensson's pass back to her goalkeeper was underhit and Akers reacted by rounding Reidun Seth, before going on to roll the ball into an unguarded net.

USA: Harvey; Werden, Hamilton, Biefeld; Higgins, Hamm, Foudy, Lilly; Stahl, Heinrichs, Jennings

NORWAY: Seth; Zaborowski, Nyborg, Store, Svensson; Carlsen, Haugen, Espeseth; Riise, Medalen, Hegstad