LONDON, Aug 10: The United States won their third successive women’s Olympic football title by beating Japan 2-1 in a superb gold medal match at Wembley Stadium on Thursday to avenge their defeat in last year’s World Cup final.

Two goals from midfielder Carli Lloyd, a header after eight minutes and a rasping shot from the edge of the box in the 54th, set the US on their way to a fourth Olympic gold from the five women’s tournaments played.

Japan, who beat the US on penalties in last year’s World Cup final, halved the deficit after 63 minutes when the Americans failed to clear their lines, and Yuki Ogimi scored from close range, her third goal in successive matches.

Japan dominated in attack from then on but could not find an equaliser and were denied what looked like a certain goal seven minutes from time when US goalkeeper Hope Solo made an excellent save from substitute Mana Iwabuchi.

The attendance of 80,203 was a record for a women’s match at an Olympics beating the 76,481 at the Atlanta Games in 1996.

It was also the biggest crowd to watch a women’s football match in Britain beating the 70,584 that saw Britain play Brazil at Wembley earlier in the tournament.

USA coach Pia Sundhage said “I’m really happy for the players. They put together a very good performance through the whole tournament. It’s incredible.

“Carli Lloyd has gone from being out of the team a few weeks ago and has come in and made the difference. She has proven I was wrong (to leave her out) before the Olympics.”—Agencies