For the second straight game, Carli Lloyd had the winning goal, scoring the only goal in the USA’s 1-0 win over Finland Friday at the Algarve Women’s Cup in Ferreiras, Portugal.
Lloyd, one of five U.S. players to come on after halftime, responded with the lone goal on her first touch of the ball. She struck on a first-time shot hard on the ground and into the net from 13 yards out after a poor clearance of Stephanie Lopez‘s corner kick. Lloyd’s two goals are twice as many as she scored in her first 24 international appearances for the USA.
The USA outshot Finland, 17-3, but rarely broke down its Finnish opponents who preferred to sit back and play compact defense, rarely trying to attack the USA.
The Americans need to beat Sweden Monday in their Group B finale to win the group and move into the final. Sweden pulled out a 1-0 victory over China on a Charlotte Rohlin goal in the 90th minute goal and is tied with the USA for the group lead with six points apiece. The Swedes have the edge in the tie-breaker – goal difference – at plus-four goals to the USA’s plus-two. Sweden advances to the final with a win or tie against the USA in Vila Real de San Antonio.
In Group A, Denmark is in first place after defeating Norway, 1-0, on a last-minute goal from Ditte Larsen for its second win. France upset Germany, rebounding from a 4-0 thrashing to Denmark to defeat the reigning world and European champions 1-0, on a goal by Elise Bussaglia in the 32nd minute.
USA-FINLAND GAME SUMMARY:
March 9 in Ferreiras
USA 1 Finland 0. Goal: Lloyd 48.
USA — Scurry, Mitts, Whitehill, Ellertson (Lopez, 46), Rampone, Boxx, Hucles (Chalupny, 46), Wagner (Lloyd, 46), O’Reilly (Wambach, 46), Kai, Tarpley (Lilly, 46).
Finland — Meriluoto, Vaelma, Saari, Salmen, Niemi (Hyvoenen, 88), Lehtinin, Julin, Nokso-Koivisto (Hakala, 74), Rantanen, Lindstroem (Malaska, 58), Sjoelund (Laihanen, 46).
Referee: Bentla D’Coth (India).
Att.: 500.