Welsh dashes German dreams

Germany's hopes of winning the Algarve Cup for the first time were ended in the final as Christie Welsh's goal ensured the United States the trophy for the third year in succession. France, meanwhile, finished third with an exciting 3-2 win against Sweden, while Norway edged out Denmark to claim fifth.

Final 
Germany 0-1 United States
Olympic champions the United States narrowly overcame their world and European counterparts Germany at the Estádio Algarve in Faro/Loulé, Welsh scoring the only goal of an exhilarating encounter. The European team - who also lost to the same opponents in the Olympic semi-finals last August - took control early on, with Birgit Prinz shooting wide when unmarked in the 16th minute. Just two minutes later Welsh produced the decisive strike, beating goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg for her fifth goal of the tournament. Tina Theune-Meyer's side dominated after the break, with playmaker Renate Lingor particularly influential, but were unable to find an equaliser as the American defence held firm.

Third-placed play-off
Sweden 2-3 France
France claimed third place by defeating Sweden in an entertaining match. Laura Georges gave France an early lead but Sara Johansson burst clear to level nine minutes before half-time. Stephanie Mugneret-Beghe restored France's advantage eight minutes into the second period, only for Johansson to reply again and the match looked set to end all square only for Hoda Lattaf to settle it in France's favour with an audacious back-heel ten minutes from time.

Fifth-placed play-off
Denmark 1-2 Norway
Norway finished fifth with victory against Scandinavian rivals Denmark despite falling behind in the fifth minute as Merete Pedersen combined brilliantly with Annne Dot Eggers to score. The advantage lasted only five minutes, however, Marit Christensen heading Norway level from a corner, and four minutes later Norway scored what proved to be the winner as the Danish defence failed to clear, allowing Trine Rønvig to elegantly lift the ball over goalkeeper Mette Bjerg Christensen. Denmark dominated much of the remainder of the match, but the closest they came to an equaliser was Louise Hansen's first-half effort, which hit the crossbar.

Seventh-placed play-off
England 0-0 China (China won 5-3 on penalties)
England's attempt to win their seventh match in succession failed as they lost on spot-kicks to China in Guia. Having won Group E, the WOMEN'S EURO 2005 hosts were relishing tackling one of traditional world superpowers at this level. England enjoyed some fine passages of play and were unfortunate to see a 78th-minute Eniola Aluko strike ruled out. Defender Alex Scott missed her penalty, with the Asian nation scoring all four of theirs to seal seventh spot.

Ninth-placed play-off
Mexico 1-1 Finland (Mexico win 5-4 on penalties)
Finland's disappointing Algarve Cup continued as they were beaten into tenth spot by Mexico in Quarteira. The Finns, who lost all three Group B matches, made a fine start and were rewarded when Mexico defender Fatima Leyva put the ball into her own net under pressure from Laura Kalmari in the 40th minute. Monica González headed the equaliser in the 67th minute and the Mexicans eventually prevailed as Terhi Uusi-Luomalahti missed Finland's final spot-kick. "Our tiredness showed in the second half," said Finland coach Michael Käld.

Eleventh-placed play-off
Portugal 3-1 Northern Ireland
The host nation won for the first time at the fourth attempt, recovering from a goal down to triumph 3-1. Northern Ireland defeated the Portuguese 2-1 in their final Group C game on Sunday and took the lead in Montechoro through Sarah McFadden in the 38th minute. Paula Cristina levelled as the hour approached before Dani and Carla Couto struck in the final ten minutes.