US win women's football gold number three at Olympics

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

Japan, who beat the U.S. in last year's World Cup final, halved the deficit after 63 minutes when the U.S. failed to clear their lines, and Yuki Ogimi scored from close range. Japan dominated from then on but could not find an equaliser.

The official attendance of 80,203 was a record for a women's match at an Olympics and was the biggest crowd to watch a women's soccer match in Britain.

Canada clinched the bronze medal when a goal seconds from the end of time added on gave them a 1-0 win over France in Coventry.

With extra time looking inevitable and 92 minutes on the clock, midfielder Diana Matheson pounced on a loose ball that bounced off a defender's thigh to break French hearts after they had dominated the second half but wasted chance after chance.

On Monday, Canada were devastated when they lost 4-3 in the semi-final to the United States, whose winning goal came in the third minute of added time at the end of extra time.

On this occasion it was the French women who were left stunned and in despair after losing a game they should have won convincingly.

France hit the post, had a shot cleared off the line and enjoyed most of the possesion, but Gaetane Thiney, Camille Abily, Eugenie Le Sommer and Louisa Necib were all guilty of missing chances that looked easier to score.

To their credit, Canada defended well even if the defending was frantic and frenzied at times but with extra time looming, they counter-attacked swiftly and scored after France failed to deal with the break.

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