It took a penalty shootout to settle things, but the Swedish women’s national football team defeated the United States in the final match to win the Algarve Cup for the third time. The US women’s team was the heavy favourite to win the 12-team tournament held in the southern Portuguese town of Algarve.
The Swedes took an early lead thanks to a defensive blunder by US player Shannon Boxx that gave Sweden’s Lotta Schelin a strike on goal in the 19th minute. Boxx, however, made up for the error in dramatic style by tapping in the equaliser in the 90th minute.
The International Herald Tribune noted the Swedes could have easily won the match outright were it not for several superb saves by American goalkeeper Hope Solo. Solo ended up being voted the tournament’s most valuable player. In the penalty shootout, American Heather Mitts hit the post to hand the victory to the Swedes 4-3 on penalties.
While Sweden won the title in 2001 and 2005, the Americans were chasing their sixth title in their seventh straight championship match in the Algarve Cup. Denmark took third place, beating Germany 1-0 in the consolation match. Iceland managed to grab fifth place, while Finland and Norway took seventh and ninth place, respectively.