The 2017 Algarve Cup and 2017 Cyprus Cup both kicked off earlier today for the first day of group play. Here’s a recap of all the action from today’s 12 matches.
Sweden 1, Australia 0 (Group C): Captain Lotta Schelin secured the 1-0 victory for Sweden as Pia Sundhage’s side defeated the Matildas in both team’s opening match of the Algarve Cup. Schelin was able to shake a defender on the right side and slotted the ball home past Williams and into the back of the net. In the 88th minute, Australia came close to tying the game when Sam Kerr was slotted a through ball past Sweden’s back line, but Sweden keeper Hedvig Lindahl was able to stuff the break away.
?? Vintage @L8schelin. ? #AUSvSWE #AlgarveCup pic.twitter.com/X6cBz1V853
— WoSo Comps (@WoSoComps) March 1, 2017
Netherlands 1, China PR 0 (Group C): A first-half goal seemed to be all the Netherlands needed to secure their first group game win of the tournament as forward Renate Jansen finished the lone goal of the game for her side.
Spain 2, Japan 1 (Group B): After a scoreless first half, Spain outscored Japan by a score of 2-1 to take home the first victory of the Algarve Cup. Midfielders Silvia Meseguer and Olga Garcia netted goals for Spain in the 59th and 72nd minutes respectively. Kumi Yokoyama pulled one back for her team in the 81st minute but it was too little too late.
{ALSO TODAY: 2017 SheBelieves Cup Preview}
Norway 1, Iceland 1 (Group B): Norway and Iceland battled to a 1-1 draw in the second game of Group B action today. Ada Hederberg took the lead for her side notching a goal in the 4th minute. That was quickly followed by a finish on the Iceland side by midfielder Gunnhildur Johnsdottir. The game remained scoreless from the 8th minute on and both sides took home one point for the draw.
@AdaStolsmo scores Norway’s first goal to lead 1-0, Algarve Cup #AlgarveCup #womensfootball Video: RUV2 @OL #TeamOL pic.twitter.com/IeH6Jfbu80
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) March 1, 2017
Canada 1, Denmark 0 (Group A): In the 90th minute, forward Christine Sinclair corralled a rebound from Deanne Rose and finished it in the back of the net to give Canada their first win of this year’s tournament. Denmark received a dangerous corner late in the 92nd minute with an opportunity to tie it up but Allysha Chapman was able to clear which ensured the Canadian win.
Russia 1, Portugal 0 (Group A): An 82nd minute goal was all that Russia needed in its victory over Portugal in today’s Group A match up. Olesya Mashina sealed the deal for her team as the second half came to an end and ensured they took three points away from game day one.
Day 1 Cyprus Cup Results: Little scores game winner on 120th cap for Scotland
Scotland 2, New Zealand 2 (Group B): In a five-goal thriller that went right down to the wire, Scotland came out on top defeating New Zealand by a score of 3-2. Jane Ross opened up scoring in the 9th minute for Scotland. Rosie White answered within 10 minutes and put one away from New Zealand in the 21st minute leading to a 1-1 tie at the half. The last six minutes of the game saw the most action as Scotland first took a 2-1 lead in the 84th minute thanks to a Erin Cuthbert finish. Kim Little, on a day in which she earned her 120th cap for her country, increased the lead three minutes later with a goal in the 87th. New Zealand was able to come within one goal in the 90th minute as Amber Hearn notched one for her side but ultimately proved too late to tie the game up.
{SEE MORE: Ashlyn Harris exudes confidence ahead of SBC}
Korea Republic 0, Austria 0 (Group B): Austria and Korea Republic battled to a 0-0 tie in Group B action today. With 1 point each from the draw, Korea and Austria sit tied in second behind Scotland on three points and New Zealand with zero. Next up, Korea Republic takes on Scotland and Austria takes on New Zealand.
Korea DPR. 3, Italy 0 (Group A): North Korea was off and running from the start, scoring a goal to go up 1-0 in the 5th minute. Following halftime, the team wasted no time finishing back to back goals in the 47th and 49th minutes to secure the 3-0 victory over the Azzurre women.
Belgium 2, Switzerland 2 (Group A): Switzerland starting off the scoring in the first half in the 26th minute as defender Caroline Abbe put the ball in the back of the net. Five minutes later, Belgium answered off a beautiful free kick finish from Lien Mermans. The 1-1 tie was broken after half time, but not until the 76th minute when forward Janice Cayman gave Belgium the go-ahead goal to take the lead. Selina Kuster put the ball in the back of the net for Switzerland in the 88th minute to salvage the point for her team as it ended in a 2-2 draw.
Lien Mermans scores a beautiful free-kick for Belgium against Switzerland #CyprusCup #womensfootball Video: Belgian Red Flames pic.twitter.com/y0VC7Ebz5H
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) March 1, 2017
Republic of Ireland 2, Czech Republic 0 (Group C): Ireland scored a goal in each half to defeat the Czech Republic in the first Group C game of the tournament. Stephanie Roche finished from close range for her team in the 25th minute to give them a 1-0 lead going into half time. Shortly before the whistle blew to end the match, Aine O’Gorman finished one off of the post in the 87th minute to ensure the Irish victory.
Wales 2, Hungary 0 (Group C): One goal in each half secured the victory for Wales against Hungry in the second match of Group C for the day. Helen Ward and Charlotte Estcourt scored for their side in the 34th and 66th minutes to lock in the win for Wales.
Action for both the Algarve Cup and Cyprus Cup resumes on Friday, March 4.