The U.S. Women are golden once again as they beat Japan 2-1 in the gold medal game from Wembley avenging a World Cup final that was lost on penalties.
Carli Lloyd had both goals for the United States, one of which was a penalty kick that helped send the U.S. to their third straight Olympic gold medal.
“The penalty shot wasn’t in my mind one bit – it happens,” said Lloyd, who scored the extra-time winner against Brazil in the 2008 Olympic final in Beijing. “To be honest, it was just another game. We obviously lost to them at the World Cup, but this was just another game and another opportunity to show that we’re the No. 1 team in the world.”
Japan though didn’t go quietly as they held possession for a good 60 percent of the match. Yuki Ogimi also gave Japan hope in the 63rd minute cutting the U.S. lead in half.
However U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo stood strong by stone walling Mana Iwabuchi on a shot that surely looked to be hitting the back of the net with about eight minutes left to play.
“Hope made some huge saves,” Lloyd said. “That’s what she does – she comes up big.”
With the victory the United States once again solidified themselves as the best team in the world and without a doubt became one of the best Olympic teams of all time.
Ref: Yahoo! Sports, Associated Press, Getty
