Everything is just like in Athens, the US Women's Football team won the gold with an extra-time goal, over the same final opponent, Brazil. Although this time, the US savior was Carli Lloyd not Abbey Wambach, and this time the two teams were tied blank after ninety minutes, while in 2004 it was 1-1.
After a few cautious opening minutes, the US team went on the attack. Midfielder Lindsay Tarpley registered the first on-goal shot of the game, when she shot a long-range straight at Brazilian keeper Barbara seven minutes into the game.
Thirty minutes into the game, Brazil took their turn to attack, only Brazilian striker Cristiane came second in a race for a smart spot pass after US goal keeper Hope Solo. Three minutes later, the other Brazilian super star, Marta, beat two defenders, but she pulled her left-foot shot wide. The first finished goalless as Cristiana's last chance in 42 minutes sailed over the crossbar.
The two teams exchanged midfield possessions for most of the second half, punctuated with a few non-quality shots. But the drama came at the last minute. US striker Amy Rodriguez was clean one-on-one with Barbara when Rodriguez chose to chip a lob but failed to get enough on it. She clutched it out of the air, taking the game into overtime.
The match decider came when five minutes into overtime, Lloyd left-footed a shot from outside the box that dipped viciously in front of Barbara and crept underneath her body into the net.
After a few cautious opening minutes, the US team went on the attack. Midfielder Lindsay Tarpley registered the first on-goal shot of the game, when she shot a long-range straight at Brazilian keeper Barbara seven minutes into the game.
Thirty minutes into the game, Brazil took their turn to attack, only Brazilian striker Cristiane came second in a race for a smart spot pass after US goal keeper Hope Solo. Three minutes later, the other Brazilian super star, Marta, beat two defenders, but she pulled her left-foot shot wide. The first finished goalless as Cristiana's last chance in 42 minutes sailed over the crossbar.
The two teams exchanged midfield possessions for most of the second half, punctuated with a few non-quality shots. But the drama came at the last minute. US striker Amy Rodriguez was clean one-on-one with Barbara when Rodriguez chose to chip a lob but failed to get enough on it. She clutched it out of the air, taking the game into overtime.
The match decider came when five minutes into overtime, Lloyd left-footed a shot from outside the box that dipped viciously in front of Barbara and crept underneath her body into the net.
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