France end German hopes

Germany's hold on the Algarve Cup was ended one match from the end of the group stage after defeat by France but Denmark are through to the final after they and Sweden both made it two wins from two games in Portugal.

Denmark through
Having lost 2-1 to Norway on Wednesday, trophy holders Germany fell to an Elise Bussaglia goal 33 minutes in today. It does not bode well for Germany's FIFA Women's World Cup defence in September, as they have now lost twice in a row for the first time since July 2000 and this year have failed to win all their five games. Denmark, though, sit on top of Group A and look in good form after Ditte Larsen's late winner saw off fellow World Cup qualifiers Norway to add to their earlier defeat of France. As Denmark have beaten both the teams that can catch them on points, Norway and France, they will play in Wednesday's final. Before that they meet Germany, who will finish fourth in the group, on Monday while Norway face France for a berth in the third-place match.

Sweden top group
In Group B, Sweden followed up Wednesday's win against Finland with a 1-0 victory against World Cup hosts China, courtesy of Frieda Nordine's last-minute goal. The United States joined them on six points as Carli Lloyd struck against Finland, but Sweden need only draw with the Americans to set up a final showdown with Denmark due to superior goal difference.

Italian joy
Italy will have the chance to play off for seventh place against a team from the top two pools after clinching Group C with a 1-0 win against hosts Portugal. The Republic of Ireland, who had drawn 1-1 against Portugal on Wednesday, repeated that result against Iceland so none of those three teams can catch Italy, who have six points.