VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTONIO, Portugal — Natasha Kai of Hawai'i scored the first goal and Abby Wambach scored her 88th international goal today to help the United States win the Algarve Cup for a record sixth time with a 2-1 victory over Denmark.

Wambach scored the winning goal in the 49th minute, sprinting down the right flank and breaking two tackles before exchanging passes with Kai and sending a low drive into the corner.

Kai, a Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i alum, gave the Americans the lead with a header in the 14th, but Denmark's Cathrine Sorensen scored in the 30th.

The United States, which plays in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Mexico next month, scored 12 goals in four games, improving on its previous record of 11 in the 2000 tournament.

"If our performances continue to improve as they have done, I feel we will do well," Wambach said. "Getting to Beijing is on all our minds."

The Americans and the Danes went 3-0 in group play without giving up a goal ahead of the final.

It was a rematch of last year's title game, which the Americans won 2-0.

Kai headed in a cross from Carli Lloyd to put the Americans ahead, but Denmark kept up the pressure and leveled when Sorensen controlled the ball on her chest and volleyed a shot past goalkeeper Hope Solo.

U.S. coach Pia Sundhage took a squad of 20 players to Portugal, blending experienced players with other youngsters.

"I feel that all the core players were here," said Sundhage, singling out 19-year-old defender Tobin Heath for her performance.

As usual, Wambach led the team.

"I had a great meeting with Pia last night," Wambach said. "Today, I had to take responsibility out there and I did."

Norway upset Women's World Cup champion Germany 2-0 in the third-place game. Melissa Wiik scored in the 41st minute and Mariann Knudsen added the other in the 50th.

Sweden finished fifth by beating Italy 2-0, and Iceland defeated Finland 3-0 to take seventh.

China overcame host Portugal 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw for ninth place.