STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Team USA beats Japan 2-1 to win Olympic women's football gold
- Midfielder Carli Lloyd scores a goal in each half to secure fourth Olympic title
- Japan beat U.S. on penalties in last year's FIFA Women's World Cup final
- Canada clinches the bronze medal after beating France 1-0
In front of 80,203 fans, a record for a women's soccer match at the Games, the U.S. won a fourth Olympic gold in five tournaments thanks to a goal in each half from midfielder Carli Lloyd.
Japan beat Pia Sundhage's team in a dramatic penalty shootout at last year's World Cup in Germany, but the Asian team could only offer Yuki Ogimi's second-half goal in response.
The U.S. got off to a perfect start when Lloyd met striker Alex Morgan's cross with a brave header after eight minutes.
United States players celebrate winning the women's water polo gold medal match against Spain on Thursday, August 9, Day 13 of the London Olympics.
The U.S. team celebrates its gold medal win at the Water Polo Arena in London.
Maggie Steffens of the United States shoots and scores a goal against Spain in the women's water polo match Thursday.
Abby Wambach celebrates after the United States defeated Japan by a score of 2-1 in the women's soccer gold medal match on Thursday, August 9, Day 13 of the London Olympics.
The United States women's soccer team celebrates after defeating Japan, avenging its 2011 World Cup final loss.
Carli Lloyd of the United States heads in a goal in the first half of the game against Japan. The U.S. women's soccer team took its third straight Olympic gold medal.
Alex Morgan of the United States battles for the ball during Thursday's match against Japan.
Christian Taylor of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the men's triple jump on Thursday.
Christian Taylor competes in the men's triple jump final.
Christian Taylor lands during the triple jump final on Thursday.
Gold medalist Christian Taylor and silver medalist Will Claye, also of the United States, celebrate during the medal ceremony for the men's triple jump. Both athletes attended the University of Florida and are seen doing the "Gator chomp."
Claressa Shields, in red, battles Nadezda Torlopova of Russia during the women's middleweight boxing final. Shields defeated Torlopova 19-12 to take the gold, becoming the first U.S. woman to take an Olympic boxing gold. See more photos of Shields and read her story on CNN's photo blog.
Shields trades punches with Torlopova during the final.
Shields celebrates her victory as the referee announces her win.
Shields leaves the ring after defeating Torlopova.
Shields laughs on the podum after receiving her gold medal.
Allyson Felix of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Murielle Ahoure of Cote d'Ivoire and Carmelita Jeter of the United States to win the women's 200-meter final on Wednesday.
Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States, top, dives for the ball during the women's beach volleyball gold medal match on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Horse Guards Parade on Wednesday, August 8. She and teammate Misty May-Treanor were playing another duo of Americans: April Ross and Jennifer Kessy.
Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States, left, competes against countryman April Ross during the women's beach volleyball match on Wednesday.
Kerri Walsh Jennings, left, and Misty May-Treanor of the United States celebrate winning the gold medal.
Brittney Reese of the United States competes in the women's long jump final on Wednesday.
Brittney Reese of the United States competes in the women's long jump final.
Brittney Reese of the United States celebrates winning gold in the women's long jump final.
Aries Merritt of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Hansle Parchment of Jamaica to win gold in the men's 110-meter hurdles final.
Aries Merritt of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Jason Richardson of the United States on Wednesday.
Aries Merritt of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the men's 110-meter hurdles final.
Allyson Felix of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Murielle Ahoure of Cote d'Ivoire and Carmelita Jeter of the United States to win the women's 200-meter final.
Allyson Felix of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the women's 200-meter final.
Alexandra Raisman of the United States competes in the women's floor exercise final Tuesday, August 7, at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Gold medalist Alexandra Raisman poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's gymnastics floor exercise final on Tuesday.
Alexandra Raisman goes airborne during the floor exercise final.
Jennifer Suhr of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's pole vault final on Monday.
Jennifer Suhr competes in the women's pole vault final.
Jennifer Suhr shows her emotion after winning gold.
Sanya Richards-Ross wins the gold in the women's 400-meter final at the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 5. Richards-Ross earned the 28th gold medal for the United States.
From left, silver medalist Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain, gold medalist Richards-Ross and bronze medalist DeeDee Trotter of the United States show off their medals during Sunday's ceremony at Olympic Stadium in London.
From left, Amantle Montsho of Botswana, Richards-Ross, Antonina Krivoshapka of Russia, Trotter and Rosemarie Whyte of Jamaica run the 400-meter final Sunday.
Richards-Ross crosses the line to win the gold.
Richards-Ross basks in her victory.
Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams embrace after winning the women's doubles gold medal match on Sunday.
Serena Williams, left, and Venus Williams play the Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka at the women's doubles gold medal match.
The Williams sisters talk as they play Hlavackova and Hradecka.
The sisters celebrate after their victory against the Czech players Sunday.
Left to right: Brendan Hansen, Matthew Grevers, Michael Phelps and Nathan Adrian pose following the medal ceremony for the men's 4x100-meter medley on Saturday, August 4.
Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay final.
Clockwise: Matthew Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps and Nathan Adrian react to winning gold in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay.
Left to right: Gold medalists Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Volmer, and Allison Schmitt pose during the medal ceremony for the women's 4x100-meter medley relay on Saturday, August 4.
Dana Vollmer competes in the women's 4x100-meter medley relay final.
Dana Vollmer, left, and Missy Franklin react after winning gold in the women's 4x100-meter medley relay.
Brothers Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan embrace after defeating France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the men's doubles gold medal tennis match on Saturday, August 4, at Wimbledon.
Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan pose on a podium with their gold medals after winning the men's doubles tennis tournament.
Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan celebrate after defeating France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win gold in the men's doubles event.
France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga compete against Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan of the United States in the men's doubles final.
Serena Williams reacts after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia to win the gold medal in women's singles tennis in London, England, on Saturday, August 4.
Serena Williams hits a return to Russia's Maria Sharapova during the women's singles tennis final.
Serena Williams reacts to winning the gold medal in the women's singles tennis event.
Gold medalist Jamie Lynn Gray of the United States celebrates on the podium after winning the 50-meter rifle 3 positions women's final Saturday, August 4.
Gray aims a shot in the 50-meter rifle 3 positions women's qualification at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London.
Gray adjusts her shooting equipment during the women's 50-meter rifle 3 positions shooting qualification.
Fifteen-year-old Katie Ledecky reacts after winning the women's 800-meter freestyle final on Friday, August 3.
Left to right: Silver medallist Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain, gold medalist Katie Ledecky of the United States and bronze medalist Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 800-meter freestyle final on day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Left to right: Silver medalists Chad le Clos of South Africa and Evgeny Korotyshkin of Russia and gold medalist Michael Phelps listen to the United States national anthem during the medal ceremony for the men's 100-meter butterfly final on Friday, August 3.
Michael Phelps competes in the men's 100-meter butterfly final.
Missy Franklin, left, is congratulated by Elizabeth Beisel after winning gold and breaking the world record in the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Friday.
Missy Franklin competes in the women's 200-meter backstroke final. Franklin took gold in the event and American Elizabeth Beisel took bronze.
Left to right: Silver medalist Anastasia Zueva of Russia, gold medalist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medalist Elizabeth Beisel of the United States on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Tyler Clary reacts after winning the gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke final in London on Thursday, August 2.
Tyler Clary celebrates after winning the gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke final. Clary beat Ryan Lochte with an Olympic-record time of 1:53.41.
Left to right: Ryan Lochte, Tyler Clary and China's Fenglin Zhang compete in the men's 200-meter backstroke final.
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps on the podium after winning the men's 200-meter individual medley in the London Olympics.
Phelps, center, dives next to U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte, top, and Japan's Kosuke Hagino at the start of the 200-meter individual medley.
Phelps, who will retire after the Olympics, made history this week when he became the Olympian with the most medals. He earned his 20th in the individual medley event.
Phelps led from the first leg of the butterfly, his specialty, until he touched the wall more than a half-second ahead of teammate Ryan Lochte.
Phelps reacts to winning gold in the 200-meter Individual medley.
Phelps bested Lochte, right, on Thursday to win the gold in their second head-to-head race. Over the weekend Lochte took gold in the 400-meter individual while Phelps could only manage fourth.
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas celebrates on the podium after winning the gymnastics women's individual all-around final on Thursday.
American Gabrielle Douglas performs in front of the judges during her the individual all-around gymnastics final on Thursday.
Gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs in the floor exercise at the North Greenwich Arena.
Douglas waves to the crowd after winning the gold medal.
American Kayla Harrison reacts on the podium after winning the gold medal in women's judo on Thursday.
American Kayla Harrison, in white, and Gemma Gibbons of Britain compete in women's judo on Thursday.
Kayla Harrison, in white, and Britain's Gemma Gibbons fight for first place.
United States' Kayla Harrison reacts after winning the match.
From left, Britain's silver medalist Gemma Gibbons, United States' gold medalist Kayla Harrison, Brazil's bronze medalist Mayra Aguiar, and France's bronze medalist Audrey Tcheumeo, pose on the podium after the women's judo competition.
Members of the U.S. rowing team celebrate with their gold medals during the medal ceremony after the women's eight final at Eton Dorney in Windsor, England.
The U.S. team poses on their boat after winning their gold medals.
Americans Zsuzsanna Francia and Esther Lofgren celebrate first place.
Members of the gold medal-winning U.S. team, the silver medal-winning Canadian team and the bronze medal-winning Dutch team line up during the medal ceremony.
U.S. team hug after receiving their gold medals during the medal ceremony.
Wearing their gold medals, members of the U.S. team celebrate in their boat.
The U.S. team throws their cox Mary Whipple into the water after their big win.
A member of the U.S. team wears an Uncle Sam getup after she and her teammates won the gold medal in the women's eight rowing final.
U.S. gold medalists, from left, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt, Shannon Vreeland and Missy Franklin celebrate on the podium after winning the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wednesday.
Dana Vollmer competes in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
From left, Shannon Vreeland, Dana Vollmer and Missy Franklin watch teammate Allison Schmitt finish first to win the relay.
The U.S. team celebrates after winning the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
The U.S. women's swim team reacts to their victory over Australia.
At left, Shannon Vreeland, Missy Franklin, Allison Schmitt and Dana Vollmer of the United States celebrate next to the Australian team.
Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland and Allison Schmitt celebrate on the podium after taking the gold in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wedesnday. It was the United States' eighth gold in swimming.
U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian poses on the podium after the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming event on Wednesday.
American swimmer Nathan Adrian celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle final.
From left, silver medalist James Magnussen of Australia, gold medalist Nathan Adrian of the United States and Brent Hayden of Canada stand with their medals on the podium during the medal cermony for the men's 100-meter freestyle final.
U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian celebrates after his win.
U.S. swimmer Nathan Adrian reacts after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle.
American swimmer Nathan Adrian raises his hands in triumph.
Cyclist Kristin Armstrong celebrates winning a gold medal in the Olympic cycling time trial on Wednesday. She also won the medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Armstrong pushes ahead Wednesday during the women's individual time trial road cycling event.
Armstrong celebrates the gold with her son, Lucas, during the medal ceremony.
Armstrong is victorious in London.
From left, gold medallists Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final on Tuesday.
U.S. swimmers Ryan Lochte, center, Conor Dwyer, left, Ricky Berens, right, and Michael Phelps, in the water, react after their win.
American Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final.
Michael Phelps set an Olympic record with his 19th lifetime medal.
Gold medalist U.S. swimmer Allison Schmitt stands on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final.
American swimmer Allison Schmitt celebrates after winning the 200-meter freestyle final.
Gold medalist Allison Schmitt poses with her medal.
Allison Schmitt celebrates in the water after winning the gold.
Allison Schmitt, left, is congratulated by Bronte Barratt of Australia after her win.
Gold medalist Allison Schmitt, center, silver medalist Camille Muffat of France, right, and bronze medalist Bronte Barratt of Australia smile on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final on Tuesday.
From left, gold medalist U.S. team McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber celebrate their gold medal in the women's gymnastics team final on Tuesday. They won the United States' seventh gold medal.
The gold medal hangs from the Olympian's neck.
American Kyla Ross and coach Jenny Zhang hug during the women's gymnastics team final Tuesday.
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the beam during the women's team final of the gymnastics event.
U.S. women's gymnastics coach John Geddert celebrates with his team after they won the gold in the team competition Tuesday.
American Alexandra Raisman competes on the balance beam Tuesday.
Hancock aims during the men's skeet shooting qualification round Tuesday at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London. The U.S. Army sergeant also won a gold medal in the 2008 Bejing Olympics.
U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin celebrates winning the women's 100-meter backstroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on Monday, July 30.
Missy Franklin of the United States wipes a tear from her face as she reacts during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
From left, Camille Lacourt of France, Matt Grevers of the United States and Liam Tancock of Great Britain compete the final of the men's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
American Matthew Grevers (left) celebrates winning gold with silver medalist and fellow American Nick Thoman at the finish of the men's 100-meter backstroke final swimming on Monday.
From left, silver medalist Emily Seebohm of Australia, gold medalist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medalist Aya Terakawa of Japan celebrate with their medals during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
U.S. swimmer Dana Vollmer poses on the podium after winning a gold medal in the women's 100-meter butterfly final at the London Olympics on Sunday, July 29.
Vollmer set a world record in winning the 100-meter butterfly, becoming the first woman to go under 56 seconds.
Vollmer celebrates after breaking the world record on Sunday.
Kim Rhode listens to the U.S. national anthem after winning the gold medal in women's skeet shooting Sunday.
Rhode celebrates winning the skeet competition at the Royal Artillery Barracks.
Ryan Lochte celebrates with his gold medal during the men's 400-meter individual medley medal ceremony on Saturday. He captured the first U.S. gold medal of the Games.
Lochte poses with medal on Saturday. His dental braces bear the U.S. flag.
Lochte reacts after winning the men's 400-meter individual medley final. U.S. teammate and competitor Michael Phelps finished fourth.
Lochte competes in the men's 400-meter individual medley final. "I know it's my time, and I'm ready."
The 400-meter individual medley event Lochte won combines four types of strokes.
While Lochte (above) took gold, Brazil's Thiago Pereira secured the silver medal and Japan's Kosuke Hagino won bronze.
Olympics: American gold medals
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Olympics: American gold medals
The women's beach volleyball final was contested by two teams both representing Team USA, with Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings winning a third consecutive Olympic gold medal against compatriots April Ross and Jennifer Kessy.
May-Treanor is jubilant following after clinching a third gold medal alongside partner Kerri Walsh Jennings.
The Netherlands and New Zealand contest a grueling women's hockey semifinal, with the match finish level at 2-2 after extra-time. In the end it was reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands who held their nerve in the penalty shootout and advanced to the final, where they will face Argentina.
France's NBA star Tony Parker was powerless to stop Spain's march into the semifinal of the men's basketball -- the final score 66-59.
A total of 42 runners contested in the men's 5,000m qualifier -- including Great Britain's 10,000m gold medal winner Mo Farah. The Somali-born Briton finished third in his heat to reach Saturday's final.
Sarah Attar made history as the first woman to ever compete for Saudi Arabia at the Olympic Games. Whilst she may have finished last in her 800m heat, the implications of her efforts extend far beyond the sporting realm.
Long jumper Brittney Reese triumph in the women's competition on a golden night for Team USA. She recorded a leap of 7.12 meters beat Russia's Elena Sokolova personal best jump by 5centimeters.
Japan's Kaori Icho beats Ruixue Jing of China to gold in the women's 63kg freestyle wrestling final.
Allyson Felix defeats a truly world-class field to take women's 200m gold. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, the 100m champion, was a close second with American Carmelita Jeter third.
All-American
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Sports Illustrated: London Olympics Day 12
The Japanese, guaranteed a historic first women's football medal after beating France in the semifinals, were angered when a penalty wasn't given for a Tobin Heath handball midway through the first half.
After Japan hit the crossbar twice before halftime, Lloyd doubled her tally and the Americans' lead with a stunning solo strike in the 55th minute.
The 30-year-old curled a 20-yard shot into the net following a run which began inside her own half.
Striker Ogimi offered Japan a lifeline when she bundled a shot into the net after U.S. captain Christie Rampone had failed to clear her lines.
Rampone was at fault again when she gifted possession to substitute Mana Iwabuchi, who saw her shot athletically saved by Hope Solo.
Japan pushed to find an equalizer but the U.S. held on. It could have been 3-1, but striker Abby Wambach -- who finished the tournament with five goals -- headed over from a late corner.
Canada, beaten 4-3 by the U.S. in a dramatic semifinal, clinched the bronze medal earlier on Thursday by beating France 1-0 in Coventry.
France dominated large parts of the match, but Canada secured a first medal in this event when midfielder Diana Matheson capitalized on some loose defending to win the match in injury time.
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