Loddekopinge, Sweden ? The only stage Beth Daniel and Juli Inkster ever shared was when they were inducted into the Hall of Fame on the same night three years ago. All they wanted was a chance to play together for the first time in the Solheim Cup.

They delivered a performance for the ages, grinding out a 1-up victory over Annika Sorenstam and Carin Koch — Europe’s top tandem — in a best-ball match that turned the Americans’ fortunes Friday.

“It was huge for the team,” U.S. captain Patty Sheehan said. “It lifted us.”

As the sun finally set over the southern coast of Sweden, the United States trailed 4 1/2-3 1/2 but carried a ton of momentum into the second day of matches.

The pivotal match was Daniel and Inkster, with 63 LPGA victories between them, who took on a European duo that never had lost and came through with clutch shots over the final seven holes. Neither side made a bogey.

Kelli Kuehne, a controversial captain’s pick after going 0-4 last year in Minnesota, teamed with childhood pal Cristie Kerr for a 2-and-1 victory over Laura Davies and Catriona Matthew.

Michele Redman — whom European captain Catrin Nilsmark once said had “absolutely no talent” — finished off the rally when she and Rosie Jones made five straight birdies down the stretch in a 2-up victory over Iben Tinning and Sophie Gustafson.

The only best-ball victory for Europe came from the team of Patricia Meunier-LeBouc, who is four months’ pregnant, and Suzann Pettersen, the only player from either team to win two matches Friday.