The United States women’s national team defeated Brazil 1-0 in extra time on Thursday to win the Olympic gold medal.  Carli Lloyd blasted a left footed shot underneath Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara in the in the 96th minute and the defense held off a final push from Brazil for the win.

The goal capped off a great sequence from the Red, White and Blue in tight quarters.  Second half substitute Lauren Cheney feed the ball to Lloyd 25 yards from goal.  The midfielder while turning with the ball passed it to Amy Rodriguez at the top of the box who then returned the ball to a breaking Lloyd.  With a burst of speed Lloyd passed one Brazilian defender and sent her dipping shot from the top of the underneath a diving Barbara.

With a goal deficit, Brazil turned up the pressure.  Marta had a great opportunity in the 102 minute when she took advantage of a U.S. giveaway deep in their end but her shot was blocked by the U.S. defense.

Marta almost leveled again in the 114th minute off a free kick.  The Brazilian forward’s perfectly placed free kick from 25 yards out forced U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo to stay on her line to defend against potential headers allowed the ball to bounce in the 6 yard box and only narrowly bounce wide.

With both sides desperately tired, Lloyd looked to have an insurance goal in the 117th minute but her shot beat Barbara but knocked off the goal post.

Solo had a solid game in goal and was had a huge save to give the U.S. a chance.  In the 72nd minute, Marta beat two U.S. defenders in the box and put a hard shot on goal from 8 yards out but Solo quickly got her up to block the goal bound ball.