It looked almost impossible. Two-time defending gold medal champs and women's soccer superpower, the United States, might not make it to the finals match for a chance at three consecutive Olympic golds. Luckily, in the last minute of play before the penalty shootout, after 122 minutes of grueling soccer, U.S. women's soccer team forward Alex Morgan headed the ball in to give the United States a 4-3 victory over Canada. The United States will face Japan for the Olympic gold on August 9.
A penalty in the 80th minute allowed the Americans to equalize, in what Canadian Coach John Herdman said was a "bizarre decision." Three extra times later, the superstar forward from Diamond Bar, California headed in a cross from midfielder Heather O'Reilly in a beautiful arc to seal the victory.
Watch the spectacular game-winning goal:
"Could it have been any better?" Megan Rapinoe, the American midfielder, said afterward.
The American team was down 3-2 until a strict decision by referee Christiana Pederson of Norway gave the U.S. team a penalty kick.
A goalkeeper is allowed to hold on to the ball for six seconds before releasing it. Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod caught a corner kick, and appeared to hold on to the ball for around 10 seconds. The prompted a whistle.
Even U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo was a little shocked that the call was made without a warning before. Referees usually warn the goalkeepers that they are holding onto the ball for too long before blowing the whistle on them.
"We feel like we got robbed in this game," McLeod said.
Either way, Abby Wambach buried the penalty shot, and set up the dramatic flourish Morgan added in the 123rd minute.
Japan, ranked third by FIFA worldwide, will be the United States' next and final opponent. If the women's team secures a victory, they will have won three consecutive gold medals in soccer at the Olympics.
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