Canada won 2:1 over Brazil to capture the 2016 Algarve Cup, winning the 9 March women's final on goals from Shelina Zadorsky and Janine Beckie in the second half. Canada built their 2-0 lead with goals just seven minutes apart, while Brazil were held off the scoresheet until the dying minutes of the match.

Zadorsky scored off a corner kick in the 60th minute and Beckie scored on a defensive miscue in the 67th minute. Brazil's Cristiane scored late in the 90th minute on a left-footed blast from outside the box.

It was an otherwise even match for the first hour of play, with both sides sharing their muscle in an effort to get an edge in the championship final. Brazil had the first chance on a bouncing ball that went just a little too far, nearly eluding Canada's Stephanie Labbé in the fifth minute. Canada was back in numbers to support their goalkeeper.

Shortly after the half hour mark, one hopeful Canadian play went just a little beyond the rushing Christine Sinclair, with no clear-cut opportunity created.

Early in the second half, Poliana had a rush down the right side, but Kadeisha Buchanan was there to stop her. A few minutes later, Rhian Wilkinson made her own run down the right side at the opposite end, but she couldn't get her cross into the box.

At last in the 60th minute, an Ashley Lawrence corner kick was perfectly delivered to the near post where Zadorsky clipped it bouncing up and beyond the reach of Brazilian goalkeeper Bárbara. There were as many as four yellow shirts between Zadorsky and the near post, but the ball eluded everyone including the reach of Bárbara who could not redirect the ball off target.

In the 65th minute, Canada nearly doubled their lead on aquick shot by Sophie Schmidt. Schmidt stole the ball and fired it beyond Bárbara, but just over the crossbar.

Just two minutes later in the 67th minute, Schmidt was on the rush again, this time causing havoc to what should have been a harmless combination between substitute Thais Guedes and veteran Formiga. Schmidt pressed Formiga who rushed a pass back to Thais Guedes, but she took a wrong step and stuttered hopelessly as Beckie rushed in alone to win the ball and head in on goal. With Brazil's other two defenders unable to recover and close down the gap, Beckie was alone to control the ball and fire a right-footed shot past Bárbara for Canada's 2-0 lead.

In the 71st minute, Marta had a dangerous free kick blocked by Christine Sinclair, with the ensuing effort cleared by the Canadian defence. Then with less than 10 minutes to play, Brazil tried again on goal after a slip by second-half goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo, but the Canadian defence were on the scene to help recover the ball.

At last in the 90th minute, Cristiane took a pass and danced herself into position from beyond the penalty area, firing a left-footed shot that whizzed past D'Angelo into the far corner of goal. It was, however, all that Brazil would get in the Canadian victory. On their last opportunity in the 93rd minute, a Brazil free kick was shot directly into D'Angelo's arms shortly before the final whistle.

With the victory, Canada improved to seven wins and two losses in nine international matches this 2016 season. It also marked the first time Canada won the Algarve Cup.

CANADA-BRAZIL LINEUPS:
Canada's starting lineup featured Stephanie Labbé in goal, Rhian Wilkinson at right back, Kadeisha Buchanan and Shelina Zadorsky at centre back, Allysha Chapman at left back, and Desiree Scott, Diana Matheson, Sophie Schmidt, Ashley Lawrence, Christine Sinclair, and Janine Beckie from the midfield up through to the attack.

In the second half, coach John Herdman replaced Labbé with Sabrina D'Angelo (46'), Beckie for Deanne Rose (70'), Matheson for Josée Bélanger (87'), and Schmidt for Rebecca Quinn (89').

Brazil's starting XI featured Brazil’s starting XI featured Bárbara in goal, Tamires, Rafaelle, Mônica, and Poliana along the back, and Thaísa, Débinha, Andressa Alves, Formiga, Marta, and Cristiane from the midfield up through to the attack.

In the second half, coach Vadão replaced Débinha with Beatriz (61'), Andress Alves with Thais Guedes (61'), and Marta with Raquel (79').

Referee Sara Persson cautioned four players during the match: Andressa Alves (42'), Christine Sinclair (42'), and Shelina Zadorsky (45') all during the first half; then Marta (75') in the second half.