The U.S. almost scored a goal in the 28th minute when defender Azusa Iwashimizu, trying to clear a ball back to keeper Miho Fukumoto, missed her completely, banking the ball off the goalpost instead.
The Japanese attempted to become the first team to win World Cup and Olympic titles in back-to-back years. They won the women's soccer gold medal at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008. The Americans doled out their payback after the heartache from a penalty kick shootout in Frankfurt 13 months ago in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
All in all, American's worldwide are celebrating the score, U.S. 2, Japan 1, and redemption for the U.S. Women's National team after the heartbreak of 2011.
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