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Olympics 2012: how to get involved in football

Peter Beech — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:09:08 GMT

Our national game is cheap, accessible and fun. If you've never kicked a ball around, it's not too late to start, says Peter Beech

Either one of humanity's greatest inventions or a blight on the face of creation (depending on your viewpoint), football's unparalleled popularity guarantees extreme opinions wherever you go. The upside to this stratospheric profile is that opportunities for a beginner to get involved are everywhere. You only really need two things, and both are in the name.

GB women's football team 'unlikely' to make return at 2016 Olympics

Press Association — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:31:12 GMT

• Concept of unified Team GB may not be resurrected in Rio
• FA to quash idea, with concerns over unifying home nations

The Football Association has dealt a blow to Hope Powell's wish for a British women's team to compete at the Rio Olympics.

Alex Horne, the general secretary of the FA, said it was "unlikely" that the concept of a unified Team GB would be resurrected in 2016.

The story of London 2012: Guardian writers' Olympic Games review

Guardian Sports staff — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 21:46:11 GMT

After 16 unforgettable days the Olympic Games are over. Some sports caught the imagination, others less so. We take a look back over all of them

After the women's individual competition at Lord's, the silver medallist, Aída Román, and bronze medallist, Mariana Avitia, took a call from the president of Mexico, who wished to congratulate them on becoming their country's first ever medal winners in archery. The two women went to the press conference and delightedly took their place on either side of Ki Bo-bae of South Korea, the gold medal winner. Ki promptly burst into tears and apologised to her country for winning – in a sudden-death one‑arrow shoot-off – with a score of 8. "Koreans do not shoot 8s," said the champion.

Mexico and Brazil fans give their verdict on the Olympic football final - video

Guardian Staff — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 19:08:00 GMT

Football fans from Mexico and Brazil reflect on the final of the men's Olympic competition at Wembley stadium. Mexico won 2-1, with a brace of goals from Oribe Peralta proving too much for an under par Brazilian team. Striker Hulk managed to pull one back towards the end of the game, but it proved to be silver again for the favourites Continue reading...

Mexico rave as Brazil are sent crashing in Olympic football final

Richard Williams at Wembley — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 18:44:22 GMT

• Two goals by Oribe Peralta give Mexico their greatest triumph
• Brazil go behind after 29 seconds in London 2012 gold match

On the ground where they suffered the heaviest defeat in their history, Mexico achieved their greatest triumph on Saturday when they denied Brazil the only significant trophy missing from the five-times World Cup winners' collection. Two goals from the 28-year-old centre-forward Oribe Peralta were answered only by a 91st-minute effort from Hulk, although Oscar, who will start the Premier League season with Chelsea, missed a wonderful opportunity to send the final into extra time with only a handful of seconds remaining.

Brazil's latest Olympic football silver lacks a sliver of consolation | Jamie Jackson

Jamie Jackson at Wembley — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 17:51:17 GMT

Three silver medals and two bronzes are a paltry return for the five-times World Cup winners whose latest hopes were dashed by Mexico and an inability to take their chances

Brazil never having won the Olympic title felt as erroneous as there being an individual gold missing from Roger Federer's glittering collection. At Wembley on Saturday Mexico – with no Games football medal to Brazil's two silvers and two bronzes (aside from their five World Cups) – were lined up as the extras in the Seleção's coming-out party as Olympic champions.

Instead, a Santos Laguna forward named Oribe Peralta scored twice from what were virtually Mexico's only chances, and a Brazil starting XI featuring Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Neymar, Rafael da Silva and Oscar became the latest to continue this sorry blight on their nation's magisterial footballing history.

Brazil 1-2 Mexico | London 2012 Olympic football final match report

Jamie Jackson at Wembley — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:07:15 GMT

Brazil 1-2 Mexico

Mexico's first ever Olympic football medal is gold and the wait for Brazil to add this title to their five World Cups now lasts to the Rio 2016 Games, at least.

Oribe Peralta is the man who has the freedom of Mexico and all Brazilians never wish to hear of again. His two strikes – one in each half – were virtually the only chances Luis Fernando Tena's side created, and they were taken.

Brazil 1-2 Mexico: Olympic men's football final – as it happened | Jacob Steinberg

Jacob Steinberg — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 13:24:00 GMT

• Brazil's wait for men's Olympic football gold goes on

4.54pm BST

Time runs out for Brazil, beaten 2-1 by Mexico. The Mexicans explode in joy while Neymar is slumped on the Wembley turf. Mano Menezes looks in a state of shock, but his side was awful today, the tone set after 28 seconds by the sloppiness that led to Oribe Peralta's goal. It got worse from there and Peralta's winner was an appalling piece of defending. Mexico have their first ever Olympic football gold - and their first gold at these Games. A tip of the sombrero to them. For Brazil, the wait for an Olympic football gold goes on. Will it ever end? Next for them, they host the World Cup in two years. Only one thing comes to mind.

4.51pm BST

90 min+3: What a miss from Oscar! No Sergio Aguero, he! Hulk chips a cross into the near post from the right and Oscar, all alone, heads over from close range! What a miss! That was the moment for Brazil. That should be it.

4.50pm BST

90 min+2: Fabian has a chance to restore the two-goal advantage but blazes wide from an angle.

4.49pm BST

The greatest comeback of all time starts here. Hulk, one of the only Brazil players to show up, breaks in behind the Mexico defence on the right and drills a shot underneath Corona. Brazil have two minutes to rescue themselves. A Brazilian is booked in the aftermath. I'm not sure who or for what.

4.47pm BST

90 min: Oribe Peralta is doing a jig of delight on the Mexico bench. He's got a huge grin on his face. It's been a theme of these games. On the Brazil bench, Mano Menezes looks thoroughly fed up. He may not survive this defeat.

4.46pm BST

89 min: Brazil are a sorry rabble. They can hardly wait for the full-time whistle.

4.45pm BST

86 min: Mexico's two-goal hero, Oribe Peralta, is replaced by Raul Jimenez.

4.44pm BST

85 min: Rafael is finally put out of his misery. Before the free-kick can be taken, he's replaced by Lucas Moura. As he goes off, he glares at Juan and then sarcastically applauds the crowd, who are giving him some considerable grief. He needs to grow up.

4.43pm BST

84 min: There's no doubt that there are some terrific players in this Brazil side, but what's struck me most is the lack of leadership. There are no dominant personalities and though they'll grow in the next two years, you wonder how they'll cope with the pressure at the World Cup. There aren't too many senior players to come into this side. As if to prove the point, Juan and Rafael have a row after a ridiculous backheel from the Manchester United full-back led to a free-kick for Mexico in a dangerous position. What on earth was he thinking of? He's had a stinker.

4.41pm BST

83 min: Corona springs out of his area to hammer the ball clear with Neymar trying to reach a through-ball from Leandro. Moments later, Rafael's shot is deflected behind for a corner. Mexico clear it rather desperately.

4.39pm BST

82 min: Brazil are going through the motions now. An intelligent counter-attack from Mexico almost brings them a third but Peralta can't get round Silva, who was the last man back.

4.38pm BST

81 min: Jimenez goes off for Mexico and Nestor Vidrio comes on, slotting in at right-back.

4.36pm BST

78 min: Seriously, you will do well to see defending worse than that for a long time. "This would be Mexico's first gold of this Olympics (they had silver and bronze in women's archery and diving silvers)," says Duncan Pollock. It would also be their first ever Olympic football gold.

4.33pm BST

As I was saying. Peralta surely wraps it up for Mexico with his second goal, heading in Fabian's free-kick from the right flank. It was a fine header, bulleted into the bottom-right corner from 10 yards out, but there wasn't a Brazil defender within five yards of him. The marking was absolutely appalling there. Sunday League stuff. There was just a great big gap in the centre of the defence and no Brazil player moved a muscle. What were they playing at? What an abject shower.

4.31pm BST

74 min: Brazil have had 15 shots, but have not really created a gilt-edged chance. If anything, Mexico look more likely to score again.

4.30pm BST

72 min: Fabian wastes another chance to wrap it up for Mexico. Gabriel came flapping for a corner like a big clown and got nowhere near it as Enriquez flicked it on. With the goal gaping, Fabian instictively headed inches over.

4.28pm BST

71 min: Sandro is replaced by Alex Pato. Can he rescue Brazil?

4.27pm BST

70 min: Having seen the defending from Silva that led to that chance for Fabian, the only conclusion to draw from it is that Brazil would be better off with some dressage horses in their defence than the current motley crew.

4.27pm BST

69 min:Mexico think they have a second, but Peralta is flagged offside as he converts a cross from the right. It was comfortably the right decision.

4.25pm BST

68 min: Oscar whips a corner in from the right but Leandro puts a free header high and wide.

4.24pm BST

65 min: And go so close to finding an instant equaliser. Rafael whacked a low cross into the six-yard box but just as Leandro seemed poised to score, Mier expertly nicked the ball away from him. Supreme defending.

4.23pm BST

64 min: Will Mexico come to regret this miss? A hopeful ball over the top led to a chase between Fabian and Silva, who was the last Brazilian defender. He was hustled out of it by Fabian, who was left one-on-one with Gabriel, the ball hanging up invitingly in the air. Instead of shooting, he tried to take it round the keeper, who managed to hold him up. The chance appeared to be gone, but then came a moment of wonderful improvisation, as Fabian contorted his body to clang an outrageous overhead kick against the bar! That would have been a superb goal. But Brazil survive.

4.18pm BST

61 min: Brazil aren't playing as a team. They're too individualistic. But Mexico are sitting too deep, inviting pressure.

4.17pm BST

59 min: Neymar goofs Brazil's best chance of the match so far. Oscar bustled his way into the Mexico area, somewhat haphazardly, the ball eventually bobbling to Neymar. He leans back and hoicks it miserably over from eight yards out. That's a bad miss. You could even say he Kerzhakoved it.

4.16pm BST

58 min: Jimenez boots Neymar up the backside. He's booked. Mexico don't hold back.

4.14pm BST

56 min: Mexico make their first change. Aquino is replaced by Miguel Ponce. Aquino takes his sweet time trotting off. In all fairness, his last contribution was being taken out by Rafael, who's not exactly covered himself in glory this afternoon.

4.13pm BST

53 min:Oscar hangs a cross into the area towards Neymar. Corona comes out and flattens Neymar with a flying punch. He did get the ball first though. Neymar is off for some treatment, eventually re-emerging with a bloody nose.

4.09pm BST

52 min: Oscar plays Neymar in down the left. He's in the clear. Because he's offside. Poor play from the youngster there. He was looking down the line.

4.07pm BST

50 min: Neymar bursts into the Mexico area, but the sting is taken out of his shot by Reyes. The pressure is growing though.

4.06pm BST

48 min: This is already better from Brazil, Neymar spanking a shot over the bar from 25 yards out after a strong run. "Mexican broadcaster had confirmation the golden was the fastest in any final game ever in FIFA history," says Sam in the US. Although, of course, three seconds slower than Louis Saha's goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final in 2009.

4.05pm BST

47 min: Hulk hammers the free-kick goalwards, but Enriquez blocks it on the edge of the six-yard box.

4.04pm BST

46 min: So, Brazil have 45 minutes to spare their blushes. And perhaps save Mano Menezes's job. At least they've made a better start to this half than they managed in the first. They've gone 28 seconds without conceding a goal! In fact, they've even got a free-kick after a strong run from Hulk, brought down in full flight by Reyes just outside the area on the right. Reyes is booked.

3.50pm BST

Mark Clattenburg brings an end to an awful half for Brazil. Oribe Peralta's goal after 29 seconds with Brazil having an afternoon snooze remains the difference. Mano Menezes argued with the officials as they walked off. He's unhappy with Mexico's physical approach, but it's only so pronounced because Brazil are playing without any urgency at all.

3.47pm BST

45 min+2: Neymar, hitherto anonymous, cuts inside from the left and slams a low shot wide of the near post from 20 yards out.

3.45pm BST

44 min: Parlour, Le Saux and Caniggia were playing at a quicker pace for Wembley FC than Brazil have managed so far.

3.42pm BST

42 min: Marcelo's loose touch leads to him scything through Peralta, picking up a booking for his troubles. A bit of a hothead, this guy.

3.41pm BST

41 min: Brazil are clicking into gear now. Oscar, growing in influence, feeds a pass into the area for Leandro, who holds it up for the onrushing Marcelo. He slices his shot wide.

3.40pm BST

40 min: "Re your picture - how did Ian Harte get into the Mexico team?" asks Hugh Collins. "Does he have a Meixcan uncle - Gerardo Kelli?"

3.39pm BST

38 min: Brazil slice Mexico open down the left, but Oscar's cutback, intended for Leandro, is brilliantly touched away by Reyes. What a crucial touch that was. Moments later, Hulk makes his first impact with a thumping effort from 25 yards out with his left foot. The ball swerved and dipped in the air, Corona managing to adjust himself in time to parry it aside, before springing up to block Leandro's follow-up behind for a corner. That was more like it from Brazil.

3.37pm BST

36 min: With Brazil currently about as composed at the back as a drunken sailor, Aquino finds space on the left before teeing up Salcido for a shot that he slices wide.

3.34pm BST

34 min: Mexico are so comfortable they could probably indulge themselves in some sort of organised wave. Fabian has a pop from 25 yards out. It flies well over, but he had too much room.

3.32pm BST

32 min: And here is the change: Hulk comes on, Alex Sandro trots off. It looks like Hulk will play on the right of Brazil's attack.

3.31pm BST

31 min: It's not working for Brazil at all and they're preparing a change, the striker Hulk getting ready to come on. That sums it all up.

3.31pm BST

30 min: Although Mexico have to be careful to operate within the rules. Reyes just went through the back of Oscar fairly unnecessarily. On the touchline, the Brazil coach Mano Menezes is hopping mad, demanding punishment that is not forthcoming from Clattenburg.

3.29pm BST

29 min: The passing from Brazil suggests a team that thought victory was an inevitability. Have they underestimated Mexico? You wouldn't catch us doing that sort of thing, that's for sure. Anyway, the Mexicans are snapping into challenges with an intense ferocity, refusing to allow Brazil to settle at all.

3.28pm BST

27 min: Some of you are emailing to say that on our Second Screen Experience it says Brazil are playing Uruguay. No idea why that is. They're not, obviously. But it could explain why they're playing like this.

3.26pm BST

26 min: "Do we know yet if that IS the fastest ever Olympic goal?" asks Lizz Poulter. It seems it is but I haven't had a chance to check properly.

3.24pm BST

24 min: Brazil are starting to take a grip on things here, albeit without much penetration. But Mexico are seeing less of the ball now.

3.23pm BST

22 min: "Understandable frustration here, where the game is seen not just as a warm up for the 2014 World Cup but a contest between two nations contending for bragging rights in Latin America," says Jonathan Watts. "The exasperated commentator on the SportTV channel just said, 'Brazil don't seem to be fighting back at all.' No panic yet though."

My colleague Scott Murray - who's in the hole at the moment - insists that the World Cup will end in unrivalled tragifarce for Brazil, just like in 1950.

3.21pm BST

20 min: Corona in the Mexico goal is given something to do for the first time. Leandro went on a wee skedaddle down the left flank and fired in a low cross-shot that found its way to Oscar with his back to goal around six yards out. He did his best to shake off his marker with a cute feint but his stabbed shot went straight at the unsighted Corona, who might not have been able to react in time if that had been either side of him.

3.20pm BST

18 min: "Don't wish to spoil what has been a wonderful two weeks, Jacob, but the football has failed to capture my imagination in the same way as events such as, say, handball and gymnastics have," says Simon McMahon. "Maybe it's because we get so used to watching football during the regular season, there was Euro 2012 too, and, of course, Team GB wasn't really Team GB in the football, was it? Still, let's hope for a cracking final - maybe I'm just a bit down because these fantastic Olympics will soon be drawing to a close."

Well, no, it doesn't mean as much because it's not the pinnacle of the sport - it doesn't compare to winning the Carling Cup, for instance. But it's diverting nonetheless and victory here would arguably be the greatest moment in Mexico's footballing history.

3.18pm BST

17 min: Chavez's clearance deep in the left-back position is blocked by Rafael, the ball squirting through to Romulo, who's denied by a fine challenge from Enriquez at the expense of a corner. He had to time that perfectly, else it was a certain penalty. From the resulting corner, Leandro is penalised for handball by Britain's Mark Clattenburg.

3.16pm BST

15 min: There's not much going on now to be perfectly honest. This game peaked after 29 seconds. Mexico are perfectly content with how this is playing out - they've hardly given Brazil a sniff, Neymar and Oscar unable to get into the game at all. It helps that Brazil's passing has left much to be desired.

3.13pm BST

13 min: Neymar dinks a free-kick into the area; Silva nuts it over.

3.12pm BST

12 min: Brazil show up front for the first time and nearly snatch an equaliser after hesitant Mexican defending. The ball was played over the top for Oscar to chase, neither defender nor goalkeeper dealt with it initially, and the danger was only averted when Mier took charge and booted it clear.

3.09pm BST

9 min: Number of consecutive passes completed by Brazil so far: two. This has been a desperately sluggish start from them.

3.08pm BST

7 min: It's Mexico playing all the joga bonito here. Chavez bombs forward down the left, Rafael nowhere to be seen, and PSG's Thiago Silva has to mop things up with a well-time challenge.

3.07pm BST

6 min: To which the only proper response is Sandro steaming into the back of Fabian.

3.06pm BST

5 min: Rafael has the ball deep in Brazil territory. This time he hoofs it clear. Too late. The Brazil fans don't seem too perturbed yet though. They're still banging their drums. At least they've turned up: their side is a mess at the moment and can barely get a kick.

3.04pm BST

3 min: Brazil look shellshocked. Is that the fastest goal in an Olympic final? It came after 29 seconds, I hear. It was a really good finish from Peralta. He didn't hit it with much pace, but the placement was such that Gabriel had no chance.

3.01pm BST

What a terrible start by Brazil and what a magnificent one by Mexico. There looked to be no danger at all for Brazil, with Rafael in possession in the right-back position. But instead of HITTING ROW Z, he faffed about with the thing and then played a sloppy pass inside, a Mexico midfielder stepping in to win possession off Sandro with a robust challenge. The ball rebounded to Peralta, who advanced forward and then drilled a lovely shot into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area. That's a sublime finish. Brazil are stunned. There's the danger of passing.

3.00pm BST

Peep! The Olympic football final is underway at a sunny Wembley. Mexico, attacking from left to right, get us going, the kick-off greeted a rare old roar from the crowd. And...

2.58pm BST

A beautiful purple montage in the crowd spells out London 2012. We are set for one spectacular comedown on Monday.

2.55pm BST

Here come the players. Mexico are all in green, Brazil in their yellow shirts and blue shorts. "This is a good Mexican team," says Mark Arthur. "Peralta and Fabian are top class. Here in Mexico, we won't be surprised if they win. Mexico's younger selections have a habit of doing well against Brazil."

2.44pm BST

Currently on my television: Garth Crooks and Mark Lawrenson. I'm going for a quick walk. Speaking of which, did anyone see the 50km walk earlier?

2.36pm BST

Extra incentive to win gold: chief Fifa galoot Sepp Blatter won't be around to present the medals. That couldn't have anything to do with the terrible reception Cuddly Sepp got from supporters at the women's final on Thursday, could it?

2.24pm BST

Brazil have made a spectacularly poor show of themselves in their last few tournaments. They were a bloated mess at the 2006 World Cup and a Felipe Melo-inspired shambles in 2010. Last year's quarter-final defeat to Paraguay was the purest farce as Brazil missed all four of their penalties in the shoot-out. All in all, it's been a trying period for the boys from Brazil, more circus music than samba beat. But today, they get a chance to reverse their fortunes – a potentially decisive moment given they host the next World Cup – and right a peculiar wrong. Namely that they could win their first ever gold in Olympics football.

Yes, you've got that right. Brazil have never won the Olympics and just look at some of the sides that have: East Germany, Cameroon, Upton Park FC, Galt FC, Great Britain. The closest they've come is appearances in the final in 1984 and 1988, when they were beaten by France and the USSR respectively. Since then there has been bronze in Atlanta in 1996 and in Beijing four years ago. But never gold. Five World Cups and eight Copa Americas, but no Olympic gold. That should end today. This is a team with devastating promise, the likes of Neymar, Oscar and Leandro Damiao meaning they are hot favourites to beat Mexico – who are in their first Olympic final after beating Japan on Tuesday – at Wembley this afternoon. Though, to cast the mind back 62 years, Brazil do have a habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of nailed-on victory.

London 2012: Olympics schedule highlights – Saturday 11 August

Guardian staff — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:14:10 GMT

There are the women's basketball final, four canoe sprint finals and much more to look out for on the penultimate day

France will take on the USA in today's final after beating the European champions, Russia, 81-64 in the semis but their coach sounded less than hopeful ahead of the game. "The United States built the game," said Pierre Vincent. "They cannot be beaten, they're invincible." He may have a point. France are in their first final of an Olympics and ranked eighth in the world while the USA team are undefeated in 40 Olympic Games in a streak spanning 20 years. The French back-up point guard Edwige Lawson-Wade sounded a little bit more optimistic. "To beat the USA you have to do the perfect game. Perfect in defence, perfect in offence. It's something that happens once every few years but it happens."

London 2012: Brazil hoping this time will be Olympic football gold

Associated Press — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:26:09 GMT

• Gold only trophy missing for five-times world champions
• Opponents Mexico won Olympic warm-up match

Brazil have not been this close to a football gold medal since Romário was a young promising star in the late 1980s. Many great players have tried and failed after him, including the likes of Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Now it will be up to Neymar, the future of Brazilian football, to try to end decades of frustration and give the nation its first gold, the only football trophy missing for the five-time world champions.

Brazil are the favourite for Saturday's final at Wembley against Mexico, a team which has had plenty of success against its Latin American rival in recent years and will also be looking for its first Olympic gold. Anything but the gold will be considered a failure for Brazil, which established the London Games as the team's priority this year and brought most of its top players for the competition.

London 2012 football – Friday's Google doodle game

Keith Stuart — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Google's final Olympian doodle of the week challenges the web-searching millions to a game of goalkeeping

Another day, another doodling Olympics challenge. And after hurdles, basketball and canoeing/kayaking, here comes ... goalkeeping.

This one is pretty simple. Just go to the Google homepage, click on the play icon, then use the left and right cursors to move your keeper from side to side, and the space bar to leap into the air.

Japan comes to terms with Olympic women's football defeat

Justin McCurry in Tokyo — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 05:12:00 GMT

World cup winners had hoped to back it up with gold at London 2012 but fell short to USA at Wembley

A bleary-eyed Japan has been left to come to terms with its failure to add an Olympic gold medal to its world cup title in women's football.

Just over a year after Nadeshiko Japan – named after a colourful yet hardy mountain flower – beat the US on penalties to lift the world cup, the Americans exacted revenge, beating the Japanese 2-1 in front of a record 80,000 crowd at Wembley on Thursday.

USA 2-1 Japan | London 2012 women's football final report

Jamie Jackson at Wembley — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:56:25 GMT

• USA 2-1 Japan
• Lloyd 8 54; Ogimi 63

USA gained the desired revenge for losing to Japan in last year's World Cup final on penalties. There was personal redemption, too, for Carli Lloyd, who answered her missed kick in that 3-1 shootout loss by scoring a goal in each half to seal the Olympic crown for her nation.

Japan were dubbed the Barcelona of the women's game for their flurry of neat passing and slick movement and their average height of 5ft 4in compared to the US's 5ft 7in. The Americans were the big tournament specialists. This was the fifth women's Olympic final and USA were continuing their record of being in all of them, losing only to Norway at Sydney 2000, 3-2.

Olympic women's soccer 2012 – USA 2-1 Japan - as it happened

Graham Parker — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:22:00 GMT

• Two goals from Carli Lloyd give USA Gold medal
• World Champions Japan fall short of Olympic double

9.41pm BST

The Japanese players are in tears, but Sasaki smiling stoically as he consoles them. They've really played their part in this tournament.

Catharsis for the USA as they gather round the flag on the sideline, beaming broadly in relief and joy.

9.33pm BST

THE USA ARE THE OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS!

9.33pm BST

90 mins +2: Another free kick for the US as the Japanese attack breaks down. We've had the two minutes.

9.32pm BST

90 mins +1: Heath is brought down in the center circle and the US have a free kick they're in rush to take. It comes long eventually for Morgan - who twists and turns and gets her shot off, but it's blocked and Japan may have one more chance...

9.31pm BST

90 mins: Heath defends calmly by dinking the ball up and clear. Now Wambach hurls herself into a challenge in the last minute and picks up a yellow. Free kick just inside the US half. Another Miyama free kick. Unbearably tense here.

Miyama's kick is long, deep and out of bounds. There'll only be two minutes of added time and we're into them now with the US winning 2-1

9.29pm BST

88 mins: Heath and Morgan try to combine on the edge of the box, but it's intercepted as Morgan sprints past her marker in search of the overlap. The US have the ball again at the back and now Morgan harries brilliantly up front to force a corner off a tired defender who should have been able to clear. Cheney drives it in and Wambach gets free of her marker to meet it - but she can't hit the target.

9.26pm BST

86 mins: Half a chance at the other end as Cheney lofts a free kick to the back post, where Wambach climbs well, but can only glance her header past the post. Japan can come forward but a careless ball runs out for a throw the US will be in no rush to take. last throw of the dice for Japan: Ohno off. Maruyama on. A fresh forward with only a few minutes to make the difference.

9.25pm BST

84 mins: Has Solo just won it for the US? Rampone made a dreadful error to let Tanaka in free on goal. She opens up to place the ball wide of Solo in the far corner, but the keeper at full stretch pushes it wide of the post. Great save!

9.23pm BST

82 mins: Wambach earns a free kick as she's pushed in the back near the half way line. Heath runs down the left to pick it up then pauses wisely on the ball, before the ball eventually comes to O'Hara who steps up to hammer one JUST over the bar. Smart play by the US in the build up to that. not rushing. Less than ten minutes to go now...

9.21pm BST

80 mins: The corner is taken short and eventually the ball is cleared as far as Morgan, who gets down the right and sends a cross against, for ...Rampone?!?! (what's she doing there?) who has kept running but can't get power on her header. Buehler comes off for Sauerbrunn. The defender had injured herself in that clash in the box with Solo and Kumagai earlier. Still USA 2 Japan 1. It's very tense.

9.19pm BST

78 mins: Will Sundhage match the Japanese substitution with one of her own? Her players beginning to weary. Another free kick is conceded from a tired tackle by Lloyd. Miyama drives this one in and Boxx heads clear for a corner...

9.18pm BST

76 mins: Morgan once again makes a chance for herself with her pace and invention, but she's slightly run the ball away from an ideal shooting position when she eventually lets fly on the edge of the box and the ball is high and wide. Japan bring off Sameshima for Iwabuchi. Crowd just announced by the way: 80,203

9.15pm BST

74 mins: Lloyd is penalized for a handball outside the box and yet again the US have conceded another dangerous free kick... Miyama over it and once again there is confusion in the box as Solo can't claim and the second ball just won't fall to be cleared. Eventually the ref blows for an infringement, much to the American's relief. They're living dangerously.

Tim Kendell emails:

9.13pm BST

72 mins: ...Miyama again with the kick and it's another beauty, that has to be headed away by a great defensive header from Wambach at the expense of a corner. It's taken short but Heath is alert to break up the move. Still USA 2 Japan 1 but there may be more goals in this.

9.11pm BST

70 mins: Wambach's fine by the way. The US temporarily still high up in the Japanese half - evidently feeling attack is the best form of defense. The Japanese eventually get on the ball and work the ball patiently round the back - they were 2-1 down in the World Cup final, remember... Now they have a free kick about 15 yards outside the box, slightly left of center...

9.09pm BST

68 mins: Lloyd is crowded out on the edge of the box, but keeps possession well, only for the move to break down and Japan to counter at speed. But Rampone is there brilliantly to pick up the ball and maraud forward down the right. Now finally we have a brief break as Wambach goes down injured in the Japanese half. Then a big chance as the free kick comes in and is headed down to give Buehler a stretched chance at poking home, but she can only hit the keeper as she lunges for the ball. End to end now.

9.07pm BST

66 mins: Japan move forward into the US half and Miyama slices a shot just over the US crossbar after neat build up play. They've had a lot of possession in this half.

9.06pm BST

64 mins: Immediately Japan get a corner and the USA are relieved to see Solo go up to claim it with some authority as Japan press. Hold on to your hats for the last 25 minutes. US trying to get a period of possession to calm things down. Decent game management from them, but Japan have the ball back now and can advance.

9.04pm BST

62 mins: Ohno looks for an opening and spreads the play brilliantly out right, then races back to pick up the return and direct traffic. She eventually cuts the ball back for Sawa, whose shot is blocked but Ogimi is able to bundle the ball in as they fail to clear.

9.02pm BST

60 mins: "Whither Rapinoe? seems like a non-factor" wonders Karen via email. Let's just say, that of the US midfielders, tonight has been Lloyd's night. Rapinoe has done plenty in this tournament. Still USA 2 Japan 0 with half an hour to go.

8.59pm BST

58 mins: If this were almost any other team than the Japanese you'd think this was game over, but they seem to play the same game regardless of the score and aren't looking to be in a panic. Cheney on for Rapinoe by the way, and now Tanaka comes on for Sakaguchi in the first substitutions.

8.58pm BST

56 mins: Almost immediately the Japanese have another free kick in the US half. Miyama sends it deep, and Wambach heads clear at the post and suddenly the break is on for the US as Morgan sprints clear then cuts inside for the shot at goal, when perhaps she could have slipped the ball to her left for Wambach - who had rampaged clear. The US could have sealed it there, but for now they'll be happy with a 2-0 advantage.

8.56pm BST

Screamer from Lloyd, who picks up the ball in midfield and lopes forward to the edge of the box before firing an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box across the keeper, for a wonderful, crucial goal in this final!

8.54pm BST

54 mins: Japan keeping the ball out wide to try to work round the US and tire them out. Tired clearances from Rampone and Lepeilbet, but hang on a minute...

8.53pm BST

52 mins: Wambach lurks at the back post as Morgan lofts a deep cross into the six yard box that Fukumoto has to push clear. Then at the other end the Japanese have a throw deep in US territory and manage to work the ball through for Miyama to come off Rapinoe's shoulder for the snapshot near the penalty box. it goes wide, but warnings at both ends there.

8.51pm BST

50 mins: Morgan goes on a twisting turning run into the Japanese box to pick up the corner kick as her cross is blocked. Rapinoe curls it high and it's headed clear but fed back wide to Lloyd on the right. SHe cuts back brilliantly and for a second the goal opens up, but she can't set herself for a shot and it's crowded out by the Japanese defense. Still USA 1 Japan 0.

8.49pm BST

48 mins: Buehler down injured after that last play - replays showed her being flattened by Kumagai, though admittedly the US defender was rugby tackling her as it happened...

Looks like a light rain is falling in London.

8.47pm BST

Peep: OK we're back. It's 1-0 to the USA and Japan are kicking of the second half. Immediatelythey have another dangerous free kick near the corner of the box from Miyama. It's curled in beautifull and Solo has to punch clear bravely as Kumagai crashes into her.

8.45pm BST

Your emails:

We're still talking about that Canadian decision:

8.36pm BST

Fascinating game, as the US came storming out in the opening moments with all of the adrenaline of the semi-final still seemingly coursing through them.

Japan though are not World Champions by accident and were consistently dangerous - both on speedy counters and with their ability to unlock tight defenses. Solo had to make one fantastic save to keep her team ahead, but it's clear that Japan willl have more chances in this one.

8.31pm BST

45 mins +1: Now Japan have a dangerous free kick in the US half that Miyana launches long and deep, but it's headed clear and Lloyd's 8th minute goal will separate the teams at the half.

Half time thoughts in a moment.

8.30pm BST

44 mins: Wambach picks up the ball from a terrible pass out by Fugumoto but Japan just about scramble back before Wambach can set herself for a snapshot. She ends up laying it off to Boxx instead, whose ambitious shot is high and wide. A moment later Heath has a shot from similar distance that skips off the turf and straight at the keeper.

8.28pm BST

42 mins: Lloyd, who's been excellent, gets forward, cuts to her left on the edge of the box and hits a left foot shot from distance that Fukumoto has to get down to sharply. Then Rapinoe sends a dangerous cross into the box that earns Japan a free kick when Kumagai is kicked high by Wambach, whilst clearing.

8.26pm BST

40 mins: Japan playing the ball with notably higher tempo now. You suspect the US would be happy to get in at half time with the score still at 1-0. Rapinoe loses possession off the referee and Japan advance, but Lloyd is back again to help out in defense. The US come forward again through the overlapping Lepeilbet, but her cross is way overhit and that will be a goal kick.

8.23pm BST

38 mins: Japan seem to fancy their chances down their left side and they're getting a lot of joy there, now they work another neat one two that leads to Ohno curling a beautiful shot just past Solo's post. Gasps around the crowd at another close attempt.

8.21pm BST

36 mins: I'm hearing the steady ping of emails arriving in my inbox. Quick look at subject lines indicates there's a lot of keenly felt opinion one way or another on that controversial call. I'll get to those when I can. We have a brief lull for a moment, then Japan swarm forward again, but Lloyd gets back well to take the ball of Kawasumi, who was shaping to shoot from distance...

8.20pm BST

34 mins: Ohno twists and turns in the box, looks to have lost it, regains it then pokes a delicate ball back for Miyama - who chips Solo in the American goal but sees her shot crash off the charmed US crossbar. A lot of warnings for the US here...

8.17pm BST

32 mins: ...Rapinoe sends it deep to where Wambach is able to head it goal wards, though it's a knockdown more than an attempt on goal. The US stroking the ball around the Japanese half after the ball is cleared, but the final ball lets them down. Nonetheless they're still pressing and this is an enthralling game.

@kidweil was torn between my feelings for Kumagai and my bet on the yanks, but now sucked into a wonderful game of football.

8.15pm BST

30 mins: You suspect the next goal could be crucial, with both sides having great chances. Ohno cuts across her marker to meet a low angled ball into the box, but Buehler recovers to force her to concede the goal kick rather than get a shot off. Still USA 1 Japan 0. USA have another corner...

8.14pm BST

More drama here, as the US pepper the Japanese box with crosses, ending with Lloyd whipping one in that Iwashimizu feels she has to head clear, but she only succeeds in glancing a fierce header off the inside of the post with Morgan lurking.

8.12pm BST

26 mins: Japan have a dangerous free kick on the corner of the US box. First look for Miyama. Her cross is charged down immediately by the wall and on second glance it's clear that Heath's arm was up as part of the block. US very lucky not to give up a penalty there.

8.09pm BST

24 mins: Rapinoe is crowded out on the right but earns a throw off her challengers. But then her pass is errant as the US try to work a crossing chance. They seem to have ridden the storm a little for the moment as they press again, but just as I write that Japan counter once more - they're very dangerous on the break.

8.07pm BST

22 mins It's still USA 1 Japan 0 by the way. Now Wambach tries a little fancy footwork, but doesn't quite pull off her attempt at a delicate through ball and Jpan have the ball. The keeper sends her kick all the way through to Solo, whose confidence will be high after that reaction save a moment ago.

8.06pm BST

20 mins: Japan in the ascendancy now, as they find their feet in this game, but The US aren't to be bullied and they're trying to keep up their pressing game. But Japan will know that they'll have moments where they can control the tempo in this game and this looks to be one of them. Lloyd playing in a pretty advanced position by the way, with Boxx sitting in front of the defense.

8.03pm BST

18 mins: Chaos in the US box! Kawasumi finds some space to the left of the box and looks to have beaten Solo with her shot, but the keeper is helped out be her defenders, in a scrambled clearance. Then a minute later Ogimi sends a diving header in that Solo has to fingertip off the bar. What a save!

8.01pm BST

16 mins: ...Rapinoe sends it in but it's headed clear simply enough, then a disappointing ball back into the box gives Japan possession again.

Dan emails:

8.00pm BST

14 mins: Sundhage is scribbling on her notepad at the side of the field. Rapinoe gets forward down the right and finds a low ball into the box, with a neat cutback to wrongfoot the defense before she slids it in. The onrushing Wambach is just short of it though.

Now the US pick up their first corner...

7.57pm BST

12 mins: Miyama tries to thread a ball behind the US back line for Kinga, but it's just too long. Japan don't look unduly rattled, but they're yet to find their passing rhythm against a fired up USA. 1-0 to the USA.

7.54pm BST

Heath gets acres of space down the left and feeds a low ball for Morgan, whose first touch looks to have forced her too wide, but she wraps her leg round it to send a cross through for Lloyd to touch home from point blank range, just ahead of Wambach - who I originally thought got the final touch. Advantage USA!

7.52pm BST

8 mins: First pressure for Japan on the edge of the US box, as they get the ball forward and try to add numbers in the US half. Marco emails with a fair correction:

"I'm a US fan, but I'm not on board with the revenge narrative. Getting "revenge" implies that one's opponent previously did something unfair or dishonorable in some way or didn't deserve a previous victory. Japan won the World Cup fair and square. They were the better team and fully deserved the win. Hell, I was happy for them, although I would've preferred a US victory. And today, I again--really, really--want the US to win. But that's pretty much the extent of it."

7.51pm BST

6 mins: Lloyd's neat through ball is just cut out as she tries to find Wambach, and now Japan are able to get forward. At least they are until Lloyd barges through to pick up the ball and send a ball forward for Morgan, who looks to be flattened on the edge of the box. No foul though.

7.50pm BST

4 mins: Morgan, as she does, makes a chance out of nothing on the edge of the box to cut the ball inside her defender and get a shot off, that forces a save from Fukumoto. US looking lively early on, but there's a brief break for Japan that stretches the US backline but Kawasumi can't reach the final through ball.

7.48pm BST

2 mins: Japan try to get their flowing passing game going, but there's an early interception by Rapinoe, and the US press forward. They'll have a throw parallel with the box now, which they turn into a high cross into the box. It's cleared, but not without nervousness as the ball bounced down in the box.

7.46pm BST

Peep: We're under way in the Gold medal match. Lloyd sends a ball straight through for Wambach, whose flick down can't find anyone.

Gary Naylor shows up:

7.44pm BST

Shots of the crowd:

Huge noise inside the stadium as the two sides shake hands and go to their ends to warm up.

7.41pm BST

First tweet:

@kidweil I like that changing GDN's edition to "US" sorts the medal table by total instead of gold. Really catering to Americans, eh?

7.37pm BST

USA: Solo; Rampone (C), O’Hara, Lepeilbet, Buehler; Boxx, Lloyd, Heath, Rapino; Morgan, Wambach

Japan: Fukumoto; Kingya, Iwashimizu, Kumagai, Sameshima; Sakaguchi, Miyama (C), Kawasumi, Sawa; Ohno, Ogimi

7.33pm BST

The letter of the law

OK, let’s deal with the incident that hung over the US women’s semi-final - the award of the indirect free kick by referee Christina Pederson, that in turn led to the handball, that led to the penalty, that led to the third equalizing goal for the US.

7.31pm BST

A note on the workforce

A special welcome, by the way, to the workforce of America. Your emails show you have been with us the whole tournament - at first furtively checking for updates of scores and gradually becoming more emboldened as the tournament went on - to the point where today many office blocks throughout the US probably look like a cross between the middle sections of Office Space/Fight Club, as gum-chewing middle management put their feet on their desks and hook up the conference room projector to show looping animated gifs of Alex Morgan's semi-final winner, while staring out their superiors with a look that says, "What?"

7.22pm BST

Welcome to the Olympic women's soccer final - and it's the one the purists, if not the neutrals, wanted. This afternoon sees a restaging of last year's World Cup final between the pre-tournament favorites, the USA, and the team that beat them last year, Japan - who themselves now stand on the verge of the unprecedented achievement of winning World Cup and Olympic tournaments in consecutive years.

So what do we expect today? Japan came through the battle of the two most technical teams in the competition by beating France in their semi-final. It was a game in which they soaked up a lot of pressure, particularly after taking a 2-0 lead and forcing a desperate French side to attack. The Japanese also came close to letting the lead slip in a frantic two minute spell that saw them concede a goal then a penalty - and but for Bissaglia sliding her kick just past the post, who knows how that game could have gone in extra time? The US will note the Japanese susceptibility to pressure, but they should also note their deadliness at set pieces - both the Japan goals in the semi originated with precise dead balls taken by the excellent Ayo Miyama.

London 2012: Canada's women win Olympic football bronze with late goal

Press Association — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:48:41 GMT

Canada 1-0 France

Canada clinched the bronze medal in the women's Olympic football tournament when a goal seconds from the end of injury time gave them a 1-0 win over France at the City of Coventry Stadium on Thursday.

With extra time looming and 92 minutes on the clock, the Canada midfielder Diana Matheson pounced on a loose ball that bounced off a defender's thigh to break French hearts after they had dominated the second half but wasted chance after chance to open the scoring.

London 2012: what to watch on day 13

Patrick Barkham — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:06:16 GMT

Marathon swimming in Hyde Park, middle-distance hope for Team GB and American women in another football final

Golds up for grabs 22

Weather Some sunshine after the grey of recent days and getting warmer: a high of 25C forecast 4pm in the Olympic Park

Olympics 2012: Brazil reach football final by beating South Korea

Andy Hunter at Old Trafford — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:46:54 GMT

South Korea 0-3 Brazil

Brazil have never won Olympic gold, a failing that pains a proud football nation and has prompted the team's coach, Mano Menezes, to label this tournament "The London Project", but a glorious chance to break new ground awaits at Wembley on Saturday having swept aside South Korea in the semi-final.

Menezes' side, inspired by the mesmerising Neymar, the polished Oscar and the potent Leandro Damião, cruised into Saturday's final against Mexico – 3-1 victors over Japan – with a performance that doubled as an emphatic riposte to accusations in the Brazilian media of not taking the Olympics seriously enough. Angered, they cancelled an open training session for on the eve of the semi-final. They also punished South Korea by taking their goal tally to 15 in five matches and demonstrated they possess the pedigree to improve on the silver medals from Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988.

Mexico 3-1 Japan | Olympic football semi-final match report

Press Association — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:37:39 GMT

Mexico 3-1 Japan

Mexico recovered from a goal down to reach their first Olympic men's final as Japan's dreams of two gold medals in the football were crushed at Wembley.

The Japanese men looked set to join their women's team in setting up a gold medal match when a superb third goal of the tournament from Yuki Otsu gave them an early lead in Tuesday afternoon's semi-final.

London 2012: seven Cameroonian athletes go missing from Olympics

Matthew Taylor, Sam Jones and Afua Hirsch — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:51:41 GMT

Team officials say that five boxers, a swimmer and a footballer have disappeared, possibly to claim asylum

Seven Olympic athletes have disappeared amid fears they have fled the London 2012 Games to claim asylum, according to team officials.

Five boxers, a swimmer and a footballer from Cameroon were reported missing earlier this week leading team officials to suggest they had "defected."

London 2012: Japan and Australia review athletes' travel in gender equality row

Alexandra Topping — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:42:07 GMT

Anger greeted revelation that female teams flew economy class while the men flew business

When the International Olympic Committee president, Jacques Rogge, declared at the opening ceremony that London 2012 was "a major boost for gender equality", perhaps he had not heard that on their flights to London the Japanese women's football team and the Australian women's basketball team were relegated to economy class, while the men flew business.

Still, hopes that this Olympics may yet live up to its billing as the "equality games" have been boosted as the Japanese Football Association (JFA) suggested its women footballers may get an upgrade on the way home, while Basketball Australia promised a review of Olympic travel policy.