Olympics 2012 Women's Soccer Results: Japan Defeats France to Advance to Gold Medal Match

The Japanese women's football team is on the doorstep of history.

Since women's football was added to the Olympic program in 1996, no nation has ever won both the World Cup and the Olympic gold medal in back-to-back years. After winning the World Cup a year ago, Japan will have that opportunity, as goals from Yuki Ogimi and Mizuho Sakaguchi propelled Japan to a 2-1 win over France in the semifinals of the 2012 Summer Olympics women's football tournament.

In a match that was closely contested from the beginning, the Japanese scored in the 32^nd minute of play. French goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi had trouble keeping her hands on a long free kick by Aya Miyama, and Ogimi was there to knock the ball into the net. The play could have been even more costly for Japan, as a foul by Wendie Rinard led to the free kick being awarded, and Rinard had already drawn a yellow card in the 13^th minute for a foul on Japan's Shinobu Ohno.

Japan struck again in the 48^th minute as unsung heroine Sakaguchi got on the scoresheet. Once again, a long free kick from Miyama started things off, as Sakaguchi got her head on the ball, changing its direction and leaving Bouhaddi helpless in the net.

France pulled back within one in the 76^th minute, as Eugenie le Sommer - who subbed for Gaetane Thiney in the 58^th minute - found the back of the net. Le Sommer eluded the Japanese defense, and was unmarked when she received a cross from Elodie Thomas. The 23-year-old rocketed the shot into the back of the net, bringing hope to the French.

Le Sommer almost did even more for France when she drew a penalty kick, but Elise Bussaglia missed the net wide to the right, allowing the Japanese to exhale. Ogimi had a near miss of her own, striking the woodwork on a breakaway, but it turned out not to matter, as time eventually ran out on the French.

With the French obstacle overcome, Japan advances to Thursday's final at Wembley Stadium against the winner of Monday's second semifinal between Canada and the United States. The loser of that match will face France for the bronze.