Japan beats U.S. women to advance to Algarve Cup final

Megumi Takase scored on a header in the 84th minute, and world champion Japan beat the United States 1-0 Monday at Faro, Portugal, in a rematch of last year's World Cup championship game. With the win, the Japanese advanced to the final of the Algarve Cup.

The Americans, who had been seeking their third straight title and ninth overall in the annual tournament, finished second in Group B with a 2-1 record and will play in the third-place game Wednesday. Japan (3-0) goes to the final.

Since losing to Japan on penalty kicks in the Women's World Cup final, the U.S. had been 9-0-2. The Americans had been 8-0 this year, outscoring opponents 47-2.