The US Women’s soccer team faced the Japanese national team in front of an estimated 85,000 fans at Wembley on Thursday, in what was being billed as a shot at redemption for the US after their heartbreaking overtime loss at the 2011 World Cup.
Ninety-two minutes later, the US emerged with their 3rd gold medal in the last three Olympic games.
Carli Lloyd netted both goals as the US went on to win 2-1. Her first came in the 7th minute when Alex Morgan provided a beautiful cross from the left side. Lloyd saw her chance and put the ball in the net with a diving header.
In the 54th minute, Lloyd provided all the insurance the Americans would need with a laser from the right side. The goals were Lloyd’s 3rd and 4th of the London games, and the assist was Morgan’s 5th of the tourney.
Japan responded in the 64th minute when Japan's Yuki Ogimi rebounded her own shot, but that was the only scoring of the match for the Japanese side.
Other than Lloyd, US goalie Hope Solo was the stand out of the match, providing some unbelievable, acrobatic saves in net. US captain Christie Rampone also helped out tremendously on the defensive side, blocking an almost certain goal in an empty net after Japan had taken out Solo.
According to ABC News, with the exception of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the US has won the gold medal in women’s soccer in every Games since it’s inception in Atlanta 1996.
Images via Getty.
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