The United States avenged its defeat in last year's FIFA Women's
World Cup final by beating Japan 2-1 to defend its Olympic title at
London's Wembley Stadium on Thursday.
In front of 80,203 fans, a
record for a women's soccer match at the Games, the U.S. won a fourth
Olympic gold in five tournaments thanks to a goal in each half from
midfielder Carli Lloyd.
Japan beat Pia Sundhage's
team in a dramatic penalty shootout at last year's World Cup in
Germany, but the Asian team could only offer Yuki Ogimi's second-half
goal in response.
The U.S. got off to a perfect start when Lloyd met striker Alex Morgan's cross with a brave header after eight minutes.
The Japanese, guaranteed a
historic first women's football medal after beating France in the
semifinals, were angered when a penalty wasn't given for a Tobin Heath
handball midway through the first half.
After Japan hit the
crossbar twice before halftime, Lloyd doubled her tally and the
Americans' lead with a stunning solo strike in the 55th minute.
The 30-year-old curled a 20-yard shot into the net following a run which began inside her own half.
Striker Ogimi offered
Japan a lifeline when she bundled a shot into the net after U.S. captain
Christie Rampone had failed to clear her lines.
Rampone was at fault
again when she gifted possession to substitute Mana Iwabuchi, who saw
her shot athletically saved by Hope Solo.
Japan pushed to find an
equalizer but the U.S. held on. It could have been 3-1, but striker Abby
Wambach -- who finished the tournament with five goals -- headed over
from a late corner.
Canada, beaten 4-3 by
the U.S. in a dramatic semifinal, clinched the bronze medal earlier on
Thursday by beating France 1-0 in Coventry.
France dominated large
parts of the match, but Canada secured a first medal in this event when
midfielder Diana Matheson capitalized on some loose defending to win the
match in injury time.