LONDON, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Alex Morgan scored with 30 seconds left in the second overtime period Monday, giving the U.S. women a pulsating 4-3 win over Canada in the Olympic semifinals.
The Americans came from behind three times in the rough-and-tumble contest and finally pulled out the victory with both teams near exhaustion.
Morgan, one of a crowd of players jammed in front of the Canadian net, positioned herself to receive a long crossing pass from the right side and lofted a header that sailed just over the outstretched hands of Canadian goalkeeper Erin Katrina McLeod and just under the crossbar.
The game seemed headed toward a penalty kick shootout until the clutch effort by Morgan.
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The American win put them in the gold medal match against Japan, which won its semifinal earlier in the day over France 2-1.
It will be a rematch of last year's World Cup final, a game won by Japan. It will be played on Wednesday and kickoff scheduled for 1:45 p.m. EDT.
Christine Margaret Sinclair put Canada in front three times with goals in the 22nd, 67th and 73rd minutes.
The United States tied it the first time in the 54th minute on a goal by Megan Rapione, whose takeaway deep in Canada's end of the field eventually led to Morgan's winning score.
Rapione tied it again in the 70th minute and the United States made it 3-3 on a penalty kick by Abby Wambach in the 80th minute.
The United States will be trying to win its third straight Olympic gold medal and its fourth in the five times soccer has been played in the Games. The Americans defeated Brazil in the finals at each of the last two Olympics.
