The U.S. Women’s National Team won its eighth Algarve Cup title with a 4-2, come-from-behind win over Iceland, while the Canadian Women’s National Team knocked off Holland, 2-1 in overtime, to win its third Cyprus Cup in the last four years. Japan and France finished in third place at Algarve and Cyprus, respectively.
Carli Lloyd (Atlanta Beat) scored to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead before Katrin Omarsdottir (University of California) equalized. Halbera Gisladottir (Valur) put Iceland ahead, 2-1, scoring Iceland’s second goal in three minutes. The U.S. responded in stoppage time of the first half on a goal by Lauren Cheney (Boston Breakers). WNY Flash rookie Alex Morgan scored the fourth and final goal for the U.S.
Emily Zurrer scored the game-winner in extra time for Canada in its 2-1 win. Jonelle Filigno scored Canada’s first goal, which came in the 20th minute, before Claudia van den Heiligenberg (AZ) equalized in the 40th minute.
Fifteen-year-old Nahomi Kawasumi (INAC Kobe Leonessa) scored the game-winner for Japan in their 2-1 win over Sweden in the third-place match at the Algarve Cup. Sweden’s Therese Sjögran (LdB Malmo/Sky Blue FC) scored in the 14th minute to put Sweden ahead, 1-0, but Japan’s Megumi Kamionobe (Albirex Niigata Ladies) equalized less than 10 minutes later. Sjögran earned her 167th cap for Sweden, becoming Sweden’s all-time leader in appearances, breaking Victoria Sandell Svenssons’ record of 166 caps.
Norway beat Denmark 0-0 (5-4 on penalties) to take fifth place. Melissa Wiik, who played earlier this season for Vfl Wolfsburg (Bundesliga) scored the fifth goal for Norway in the shootout. Madeleine Giske (Arna Bjørnar), Nora Holstad Berge (Linköping), Runa Vikestad (Kolbotn), and Ingrid Hjelmseth (Stabæk Fotball) all scored in the shootout for Norway, while Line Hansen Røddik (Tyresö IF), Sanne Troelsgaard (Brøndby), Kristine Pedersen (Fortuna Hjørring), and Lise Overgaard Munk (Fortuna Hjørring) scored for Denmark.
China got the better of Wales, 2-1, in the game for seventh place. You Jia and Gu Yasha put China ahead, 2-0, before Wales striker Helen Lander (Chelsea) scored in the second half.
Portugal topped Finland, 2-1, in the ninth-place match (Essi Sainio of AIK scored for Finland), and in the 11th-place match, Chile beat Romania 1-1 (6-5 on penalties).
At the Cyprus Cup, France topped Scotland, 3-0, to take third place. England beat South Korea on a pair of goals from Sue Smith (Lincoln Ladies) to finish in fifth place. Mexico bested New Zealand, 5-0, for seventh place. Italy won, 2-0, over Russia to finish ninth, and in the 11th-place match, Switzerland beat Northern Ireland, 2-1.