Albufeira (Portugal), March 8 (IANS): The German women's team reached the Algarve Cup football final with a 1-0 win over spirited China, while nine-time winners United States lost to Sweden by the same margin.

Midfielder Anja Mittag scored the winner in the 89th minute to give Germany the crucial win here Friday, reports Xinhua.

Germany head coach Silvia Neid conceded she was relieved to see her side beat a tough team.

"China is a very disciplined and aggressive team, they have developed very well in the last two years," she said.

"And we had some problems with attack, because our passing is not good," she said.

Neid said her tactics paid off as Germany allowed China no clear scoring chances.

"Our plan was not to let China play their game as they are very good and very dangerous. Their players are very good at passing and playing a quick game," she said.

Sweden eked out a 1-0 victory over the United States to end the American women's 43-game unbeaten run and deny them any chance of reaching the final.

Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl saved Abby Wambach's penalty before Lotta Schelin headed home what proved to be the 24th-minute winner.