USA set up Japan final

Alex Morgan: Netted a last-gasp winner for USA against Canada

USA will meet Japan in the Olympic final of the women's football competition after both teams came through exciting semi-finals on Monday.

The teams met in last year's World Cup final and they will now play again for gold at London 2012, with Japan hoping to once again come out on top.

Japan clung on desperately to win the day's first semi-final at Wembley 2-1 against France, as Elise Bussaglia missed a penalty that would have taken the game to extra time.

Japan punished woeful set-piece defending to go 2-0 ahead, Sarah Bouhaddi's horrible howler gifting Yuki Ogimi the opening goal and non-existent marking allowing Mizuho Sakaguchi to double the lead.

France then went for broke, substitute Eugenie Le Sommer scoring with 14 minutes remaining and winning a penalty two minutes later, but they were ultimately left to fight it out for a bronze medal against Canada shortly before Thursday's final.

Extraordinary

Canada lost 4-3 to USA after extra time in a thrilling second semi-final at Old Trafford on Monday evening.

In one of the most extraordinary matches in the history of the tournament, the American women came from behind three times to level at 3-3 in 90 minutes.

Canada - who had taken the lead three times thanks to a magnificent hat-trick from captain and striker Christine Sinclair - were left shattered by the agonising nature of the loss.

Megan Rapinoe scored USA's first two goals before an Abby Wambach penalty sent the tie to extra time, when Alex Morgan proved to be the match-winner with a header in the 120th minute.