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Cal Star Morgan Caps Thrilling Comeback For U.S. Soccer Team

LONDON (CBS/AP) - Alex Morgan's looping header gave the U.S. women's soccer team a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory over Canada on Monday night.

And this physical classic was only the semifinal.

The former Cal standout put the U.S. in front for the first time in the third minute of injury time at Old Trafford. Megan Rapinoe scored in the 54th and 70th minutes, and Abby Wambach in the 80th for the U.S.

Morgan's 6-yard header, on a long cross from Heather O'Reilly, went high into the net over goalkeeper Erin McLeod for the winning score.

The Americans overcame a hat trick from Christine Sinclair, who scored in the 22nd, 67th and 73rd minutes for Canada.

Next comes the game the U.S. players have been eyeing for more than a year, a rematch with Japan on Thursday at Wembley Stadium with gold on the line. The top-ranked Americans lost to Japan on penalty kicks in the World Cup final last summer.

Japan advanced with a 2-1 victory over France, getting goals from Yuki Ogimi and Mizuho Sakaguchi.

 

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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