U.S. Falls Short in WC Rematch

In a rematch of last year’s Women’s World Cup final, Megumi Takase’s 84th minute goal doomed the United States to their first loss since the final with a 1-0 win the final stage of Algarve Cup group play on Monday.

A defensive battle between the first-ranked U.S. and third-ranked Japan kept the score knotted at nil going into half. But Japan’s attack finally broke through only minutes from full time when Takase, who came in the 65th minute for Kozue Ando, buried the decider in the 84th minute.

With the win, Japan captured first place in Group B with a 3-0-0 record, while the U.S. finished as the runner-up with a 2-1-0 mark. Japan will move on to the tournament final on Mar. 7 against Germany. The U.S. will play in the third place match on Mar. 7. against Sweden.