MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 21:06:29| >> :600:5789498:5789498:

United States 2-1 Japan

United States 2-1 Japan
© PA Photos
The United States secure the gold medal in the women's football after overcoming Japan 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.

The United States have secured the gold medal in the women's football after overcoming Japan 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.

It was the US who created the first real chance of the match after three minutes, but Alex Morgan's effort was palmed away by Miho Fukumoto.

The US did take the lead five minutes later when Carli Lloyd turned home at the far post to send her side ahead.

The chances continued to fall for the US early in the opening period, and Lloyd again struck wide with 15 minutes on the clock.

Japan had a glorious chance to level moments later, but Nahomi Kawasumi and Yuki Ogimi were both denied with strikes from close range, before the latter struck the crossbar after 20 minutes.

Both sides continued to attack as the half entered its latter stages, and Aya Miyama rattled the crossbar for Japan after 32 minutes.

Japan ended the half the stronger as Ohno fired just wide of Hope Solo's goal, but it remained 1-0 to the US at the break.

Both sides started the second period as they ended the first, with a host of chances falling to each team.

However, it was the US who struck a killer blow when Lloyd scored her second with a curling effort from outside the box after 54 minutes.

Japan were back in the match just past the hour mark, however, when the United States defence failed to clear and Yuki Ogimi tapped home at the back post.

Rachel Buehler came close to a third for the US after 70 minutes, but Fukumoto got down low to her left to palm the ball to safety.

Japan so nearly levelled moments later when they caused a panic in the opposition's defence, but the US just managed to shift the ball to safety.

Both sides came close in the latter stages, with Lloyd firing wide with ten minutes remaining. Meanwhile, Solo denied Mana Iwabuchi from close range moments later.

Japan could not find the leveller, however, and they had to settle for silver as the US claimed gold.

ID:39449: cacheID:39449:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3903:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Olympic rings
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: United States 1-0 Japan
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!