England pip France to Larnaca decider

England won through to the Cyprus Women's Cup final after a 3-0 win against Scotland ensured they pipped France to first place in Group A on goal difference, even though Les Bleues overcame South Africa 3-2. Holders Canada will take on England on Thursday after defeating Russia to win Group B, while the Netherlands were surprised by New Zealand. uefa.com rounds up the last group games.

Group A
Scotland 0-3 England
England led France on goal difference at kick-off and kept up their perfect record in games against Scotland to ensure that remained the case. Making nine changes from the team that began Saturday's 2-2 draw with France, including first starts for Danielle Buet and Jess Clarke, England dominated early on and although Alex Scott's 25th-minute strike was ruled out for offside, Eniola Aluko made it 1-0 just before the break after a cross from Rachel Yankey. Buet helped set up Emily Westwood to head the second midway through the second half and Clarke opened her international account late on after pouncing on a back-pass.

France 3-2 South Africa
England's result meant that France would have needed at least a seven-goal margin of victory to top the pool but instead they will meet New Zealand for third place overall. Eugénie Le Sommer's tenth-minute opener was her second goal of the tournament, on the 19-year-old's fourth cap. That was added to by Louisa Necib and Corine Franco on 79 and 81 minutes, and two late South Africa goals were not enough for a point.

Group B
Canada 2-0 Russia
Russia will take on Scotland for seventh place on Thursday having beaten that nation in the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ play-offs on away goals. Russia were awarded a 25th-minute penalty for handball but Natalia Mokshanova hit the crossbar. Canada took control after the break and captain Christine Sinclair broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with a clever free-kick move. Melissa Tancredi clinched victory for Carolina Morace's side with eight minutes remaining, even though they lost Rhian Wilkinson to a late red card and 12 minutes were added on.

New Zealand 2-0 Netherlands
The Netherlands had to settle for third place in the group, having begun the day with a chance of making the final. In stormy conditions in Larnaca, the Netherlands were unable to exploit the wind at their backs in the first half and were punished after the break. Daphne Koster conceded a 49th-minute penalty, converted by Amber Hearn, and Kristy Yallop's free-kick 20 minutes later secured second place for New Zealand. Netherlands coach Vera Pauw said: "This match teaches us we have to learn to do better at this level. We cannot allow ourselves to make mistakes in defence. This defeat was not necessary but we can learn from it. Now we play South Africa for fifth place on Thursday. A while ago we won against them, but we have to see how it goes now."