Midfielder Carli Lloyd scored a brace to inspire the United States to beat Japan 2-1 in the final of the Olympic women's soccer tournament on Thursday.
The American outfit, who lost to Japan in last year's world cup final, looked more determined to retain their Olympic title, and they did not wait long for their first goal.
In the eighth minute, Lloyd headed in a pass from Alex Morgan to put the defending champions ahead. Then in the 54th minute, the 30-year-old midfielder doubled their lead with a powerful shot.
Japan, technically superior but physically inferior, pulled one back in the 63rd minute when unmarked Yuki Ogimi scored on a mishot from Homare Sawa.
The world champions came close to scoring twice. In the 18th minute, Ogimi saw her shot fingertipped by the Amerian goalkeeper Hope Solo and bounced off the bar.
A quarter later, a mesmerizingly-organised attack by Japan left America's defence in tatters, but to the disappointment of the Japanese supporters, skipper Aya Miyama's shot hit the bar.
