Team USA Women's Soccer defeated Japan, 2-1, in the Gold Medal match at the 2012 London Olympics on Thursday.
Carli Lloyd scored two goals to help the U.S. to avenge their loss to Japan in the 2011 Women's World Cup. Lloyd scored her first goal in the eighth minute on a header in the penalty area on a cross from Alex Morgan. Lloyd made a long run to the edge of the penalty area in the 54th minute. Lloyd then placed a perfect shot past the Japanese goalkeeper.
Yuki Ogimi scored in the 63rd minute after a failure by the U.S. to clear the ball out of the penalty area. Japan had several other chances before the goal, but struck the crossbar. U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo prevented the tying goal from being scored with huge saves down the stretch after the Ogimi goal.
The U.S. women became the first soccer team in men's or women's soccer to win the gold medal in four Olympics and in three consecutive Olympic competitions.
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