Unlike the previous two editions, this year Canada will not play the final of the Algarve, since at the end of the group stage that ended on Monday, it is the Netherlands and Sweden that will compete for the title. Australia and Portugal will play the match for third place.


The 25th edition of the Algarve Cup will have an unprecedented finale. If it will be the fifth final for Sweden - crowned in 1995, 2001 and 2009 - it will be the first of the Dutch champions in Europe. However, the Netherlands - Sweden is a poster that we could see recently in the quarter-finals of Euro 2017, with ultimately a 2-0 victory of Oranje.


The Netherlands remain silent, Japan dominates Denmark


After two victories in two games, the Netherlands were in good shape to play the Algarve Cup final. However, the cheeks of Sarina Wiegman finish the group stage on a draw (0-0) against the Icelanders. Solid defensively, Iceland has perfectly blocked the incursions of the Dutch, often struggling to trigger a shot.

The Netherlands also missed this little bit of success. The center of Shanice van de Sanden, at ground level, fuse in front of the Icelandic goal and in front of Lieke Martens to whom it misses a few centimeters to deflect the ball at the bottom of the goal (33e). The Barcelona striker also lacks success on the hit stopped by Guðbjörg Gunnarsdóttir, after a big mess in the area (45th). In the second half, Lineth Beerensteyn will see his shot hit the outside of the right post and get out of bounds (66th).

For the Icelandic team, this draw is a good point, because it finished third in the group in front of Denmark, but especially Iceland could not hope better in view of the face of this match. Their best chance is a shot by Agla Maria Albertsdóttir, which was beaten by Sari Van Veenendaal (15th).

This draw is enough for the Dutch to qualify in the final thanks to a favorable goal-average, especially due to their wide victory in the beginning of the tournament against Japan. Nadeshiko who have recovered well since, chaining a second victory, 2-0 against Denmark.

In the first period, both teams hit the amounts, first Mana Iwabushi (20th) then Theresa Nielsen (39th). But Japan continued to dominate this part, and to tighten the screw during the second act to expose less to the Danish counter. The Japanese will eventually crack the Danish defense late in the game, a goal from Yui Hasegawa and a penalty obtained by Mana Iwabushi in injury time. The Japanese will do justice itself by transforming a perfect counter foot.


Sweden joins the Oranje


The Swedes were able to count on a young player to get on the right track in this match against Russia, always looking for their first points in this tournament. 20-year-old Filippa Angeldal, who has just joined the Swedish club Linköpings, has been extremely valuable on the set pieces. She carried the danger on corner especially as the one sent for the head of Elin Rubensson, which passes just above. Then, it is she who opens the score on a free-kick more than 30 meters that will lob the Russian goalkeeper and finish in his left corner (31).

In the second half, it's Fridolina Rolfö's turn to highlight. After a hit on the crossbar in the first half (18th), she finally scored a double (50th, 59th). A first goal alone, and a second on a corner of Angeldal, badly repulsed returning to Rolfö and therefore concluded by the player of Bayern.

The Swedish youth has done the job, and the entry into play of more experienced players will not change anything. On a free kick played quickly, Kosovare Asllani found Sofia Jakobsson in the box, but Montpellier misses the frame (62nd). A last Swedish header, that of Amanda Edgren, will finish on the cross (93).


Canada also won 3-0 against South Korea. The Canadians were able to count on a double from their captain Christine Sinclair (24th, 79th), and a Jessie Fleming goal with a nice shot that ends in the opposite corner of the South Korean goalkeeper (73rd). This victory allows them to take second place in Group B in front of their opponent of the day. With 0 points, Russia closes Group B

Australia and Portugal, for a second run


Australia has been pushing China from end to end. Yet despite the opportunities, the Matildas waited the second half to find the net. In the first half, however, they should have opened the scoring. On a free-kick from Elise Kellond-Knight, Wang Fei seems to catch it on the ground, but the Chinese car door releases the ball and Samantha Kerr dragged there the shoot at the bottom. The referee refuses this goal and whistles a foul against Kerr, believing that the Australian shot in the ball while the keeper was holding in his gloves (32).

In the second half, it was the Chinese women who first made the Australian women shiver with this goal from Wang Shanshan, who was finally refused for an offside position (49th). A warning of no consequence for the Matildas who will open the score in stride. Chloe Logarzo picks Alanna Kennedy's center left from the top of the head, to the penalty spot (51st). After multiple attempts, like this head saved by Wang Fire (79th) Samantha Kerr will add a second goal in extra time, from a shot at the surface entrance, to a goal completely abandoned by Fei.


Portugal confirms once again its very good form in this tournament by beating Norway 2-0. A success acquired largely thanks to his captain Claudia Neto. Valuable in the construction of the game, the player from Wolfsburg opened the scoring on a direct free-kick at the entrance to the surface (36th) that goes into the right corner of Ingrid Hjelmseth. Returning from the locker room, Diana Silva allows Portugal to break after a very good pass in the interval Neto eliminates three players opposing. Norway, stifled in this match, has never been able to react.


Australia leads Group A, with a goal-average strictly identical to Portugal (+3), but the Australians scored more goals. in this group stage A difference that does not change much since both teams will play the match of third place. After a draw (0-0) on the second day, there will be a winning team at their next meeting on Wednesday. This will be the first time in its history that the host country will play a match for third place, and in any case the best result in Portugal since the tournament's launch in 1994.

For its part, China will play 11th, against Russia, with the goal of leaving Portugal with at least one victory on the clock. Nothing to put in confidence before the Asian Cup.


Algarve Cup 2018 - The final posters, Wednesday, March 7:


Final: Netherlands - Sweden (19h30)

Final for Third Place: Australia - Portugal

Final for Fifth Place: Canada - Japan

Final for Seventh place: South Korea - Norway

Final for ninth place: Iceland - Denmark

Final for Eleventh Place: China - Russia


=> Algarve Cup 2018 - Program & Results