LAGOS, Portugal — Tina DiMartino scored her first international goal yesterday to help the defending champion United States beat Denmark, 2-0, in the Algarve Cup.

DiMartino, a 22-year-old forward making only her second international appearance, knocked in the ball from short range in the 35th minute after Natasha Kai's header rebounded off the post.

Kai is a Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i alum.

Angie Woznuk scored the first goal for the Americans in the 22nd minute. She controlled a cross and sent the ball into the top right corner.

The United States beat Denmark in the invitational tournament's last two finals and has won the title six times in the past eight years.

Also in Group B, Iceland upset four-time Algarve champion Norway, 3-1. Fara Bjor Gunnars scored twice and Edda Gardar added another for the Icelanders, while Kersten Lie scored for Norway.

Two-time world champion Germany went to the top of Group A by beating Finland, 2-0, on goals from Naid Berringer and Kerstin Garefrekes. In the group's other match, two-time Algarve champion China drew 0-0 with Sweden.

After an evenly matched opening 20 minutes in wet, blustery conditions in southern Portugal, the Americans grew dominant while the Danes launched counterattacks.

Hope Solo made a string of tough saves, including two from Johanna Rasmussen in a 10-minute span.

"After 20 minutes everyone in midfield became involved, creating plenty of forward movement," United States coach Pia Sundhage said. "Everyone seemed fit and ready to go."

The winners of each group will meet in the final on March 11.

In Group C, featuring teams not competing for the title, Austria beat Wales, 2-1, and Portugal was also a 2-1 winner over Poland.