KASHIMA, Japan — Megan Rapinoe scored directly from a corner kick to put the U.S. women’s soccer team ahead of Australia early in Thursday’s bronze medal match here at the Olympics.
Rapinoe swung in the corner from the left, and rather than serve up a cross for a teammate, she went straight for what’s known in soccer as an “Olimpico.” Australian goalkeeper Teagan Micah was caught cheating off her line. Micah got a hand on the ball, but couldn’t keep it out of the net.
Rapinoe’s. goal gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute, but Australia’s Sam Kerr equalized nine minutes later.
So Rapinoe latched onto a misplayed clearance and volleyed home a second shortly after:
This story will be updated.
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