U.S. women defeat Brazil for soccer gold, again

Last Updated: Thursday, August 21, 2008 | 3:02 PM ET

CBC Sports

U.S. players celebrate after teammate Carli Lloyd scored against Brazil during their women's gold medal soccer match at the Beijing Games on Thursday. (Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images)

It was déjà vu for the U.S. women's soccer team in the gold-medal final at the Beijing Games on Thursday.

Carli Lloyd's goal in the 96th minute gave the Americans a thrilling 1-0 extra-time win over Brazil, duplicating the result from the final of the 2004 Athens Games.

"The team is definitely on a high right now, believing we were going to make a statement in the whole tournament," U.S. captain Christie Rampone said following the win. "It didn't start like we wanted to, but we just kept digging and getting better each game. It was a full team effort, and it was so special with everyone doing it together."

In a hard-fought, physical match that saw the U.S. on its heels for long stretches, the teams ended regulation time in a scoreless draw.

But early in the first half of extra time, American Amy Rodriguez held off two defenders and tapped the ball to Lloyd, who fired a left-footed blast from outside the left corner of the Brazilian penalty area that sailed directly under diving Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara.

Brazil went on the offensive from that point, throwing everything it had at the Americans, but couldn't produce a tying goal.

Marta, once again a force the South American side with six shots on goal, gave her all trying to net the equalizer in the remaining extra time periods.

The two-time FIFA Player of the Year had an opportunity in the 102nd minute, but she was tackled by Heather Mitts. Marta recovered to regain possession, only to have shots blocked by Kate Markgraf and then by Rampone.

In the final minute of the match, Marta tried to bend in a corner a few minutes later, but U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo punched it free.

Renata Costa had an opportunity with the rebound, but her shot only found the side netting, drawing groans from the crowd of 51,612 at Worker's Stadium.

Marta looped in a free kick moments later, but none of her teammates could reach it as the ball bounced over the scrum and wide of the far post.

Cristiane missed one last-gasp opportunity as her header went just wide before the final whistle blew.

A stunning defeat

After outplaying the Americans for much of the contest, the Brazilians looked stunned following the loss.

Barbara was one of several Brazilian players who began crying on the field as the Americans rejoiced. Marta was the excepetion — her tears started to flow when the silver medal was placed around her neck.

"I have no idea why we can't win a final," said Marta. "It's something I'm gonna keep asking myself for a long time. You keep asking what you did wrong."

The win gives the U.S. its third Olympic gold medal in women's soccer and its fourth straight medal in Games competition. The team's only loss in the gold-medal final came against Norway at the 2000 Sydney Games.

The win was also the U.S.'s revenge for losing 4-0 to Brazil in last fall's World Cup semifinal.

Solo, who had not allowed a goal in that tournament, was passed over for the Brazil game in favour of veteran Brianna Scurry. After the one-sided loss, Solo complained bitterly to CBC Sports about coach Greg Ryan's decision, an interview that was widely played across North America.

Pia Sundhage of Sweden took over from Ryan as U.S. national coach in November.

The U.S. won gold despite missing top defender Cat Whitehill, who tore up her left knee in June, and leading scorer Abby Wambach, who broke her leg last month in the final tuneup for Beijing.

Bajramaj helps Germany to bronze

A pair of second-half goals from substitute midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj gave Germany a 2-0 win over Japan on Thursday in the bronze-medal match.

After Japanese goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto partially stopped a header from midfielder Kerstin Garefrekes in the 69th minute, Bajramaj picked up the rebound and fired a left-footed shot into the top of the net to stake Germany to a 1-0 lead.

Bajramaj, who entered the match in the 59th minute, struck again in the 87th minute, burying a low shot with her right foot from close range for a 2-0 lead.

The win gives Germany its third straight bronze medal in Olympic competition.

Japan's fourth-place finish was the country's best performance in women's soccer.