Netherlands make final

An opportunist goal from Sylvia Karres early in the first half set the Dutch on the way to their third-successive final, scoring her fifth goal of the tournament as she flicked a shot from Janneke Schopman past Argentine keeper Mariela Antoniska.

Strikes from Miek van Geenhuizen and Kim Lammers in the second period extended the lead as the Netherlands dominated most of the play and possession.

Maria Hernandez earned the South Americans a late consolation when she fired a first-time shot past keeper Lisanne de Roever five minutes from the final whistle.

"We prepared for the match really well," said Netherlands coach Marc Lammers. "The girls were marvellous and did everything we planned.

"Now we have a day to relax and recharge the batteries and then start thinking about the final on Sunday. We will be concentrating on the performance not the result."

Earlier Japan claimed a deserved 2-0 victory over England in one of the matches to decide the minor places and will now meet United States, who edged a 1-0 victory over Germany, in the playoff for fifth and sixth place.