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FERREIRAS, Portugal — A spectacular goal in the 90th minute from substitute Natasha Kai lifted the United States to a 1-0 win over Iceland yesterday and sent the defending champion into the final of the Algarve Cup.

Kai, a Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i alum, received a cross from Christie Rampone in the final minute of the game, deftly flicked the ball over a defender and fired a left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area into the corner of the goal.

"We talked last night in the meeting about making early runs," said Kai, who replaced Amy Rodriguez in the 66th minute. "I saw (Rampone) with the little head nod and gave me the sign to make that little outside run and it worked. She played a great ball behind the back four. I brought it down with my chest, flicked it over the defender and volleyed it with my left foot in the corner. 1-0 we win!"

It gave the Americans six points after their second win in Group B. The United States still has to play Norway in the invitational women's tournament in southern Portugal.

Norway lost, 2-0, to Denmark in the group's other game.

Iceland and Denmark could still catch the United States on points in Monday's final group games, but the tiebreaker is based on head-to-head results. The United States, which has won the tournament six times in the past eight years, beat Denmark, 2-0, on Wednesday.

Germany leads Group A with six points after a 3-0 victory over China yesterday, while Sweden edged Finland, 1-0.

The winner of Monday's Germany-Sweden game will play the U.S. team for the title March 11.

The United States featured three changes from the team that beat Denmark, including Rodriguez starting for Kai and Nicole Barnhart replacing Hope Solo in goal.