BEIJING -- Carli Lloyd scored six minutes into overtime and the United States defeated Brazil, 1-0, at Workers' Stadium on Thursday to win its second straight gold medal in women's Olympic soccer.

The United States also defeated Brazil in the 2004 Olympic final in overtime on a goal from Abby Wambach, who missed this tournament with an injury. The United States, which has played in all four Olympic finals, also won gold in 1996.

Brazil, which has never won a gold in men's or women's soccer, finished second in its third straight major tournament. Brazil handed the U.S. its worst-ever loss, 4-0, in the semifinals of last year's World Cup but lost in the final.

U.S. goalie Hope Solo, who was benched in favor of Brianna Scurry in that World Cup loss last year, proved she should have been in goal in that game. Solo, who was outspoken about the change and was temporarily removed from the team, made a huge save on reigning two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta in the second half to highlight a great performance.

The United States, which lost its Olympic opener to Norway in the group stage, proved it can win without Wambach -- its star player -- by winning its final five matches.

It was far from easy, though.

The United States struggled to maintain possession throughout the first half, repeatedly turning the ball over in midfield. Brazil used the Americans' sloppy play to its advantage in the 31st minute when Formiga stole the ball from Lloyd in midfield and, with Marta on the left, passed down the middle to a streaking Cristiane.

Cristiane, who had five goals in the Olympics, was almost in all alone on Solo when U.S. defender Lori Chalupny tapped the ball off her feet. The ball rolled just far enough away from Cristiane that Solo was able to charge out and slide to cover it up.

The U.S. kept Marta pretty quiet in the first half, but she created three decent chances in a six-minute stretch.

Marta avoided two United States defenders on the right side of the penalty area in the 34th minute, but rushed a shot and fired wide of the near post. Her next chance was off a free kick from the right she drove to the far post, but Solo was able to soar to grab the ball and held on as she tumbled to the ground with two Brazilians surrounding her in the 39th.

Perhaps the most dangerous chance was in the 40th minute when Marta opened some space on the left and drilled a cross through the area. Chalupny was forced to play the ball just a few yards in front of her own net and directed it wide for a corner kick. Solo also did well to punch the corner out of the area. U.S. striker Angela Hucles, who led the team with four goals in the Olympics, got her only scoring chance of the first half in the 41st minute, but struck a half-volley high.

Cristiane got another look at goal in the 42nd minute, but fired high from just outside the area.

Although the Americans struggled in midfield in the first half, their defense was well-organized to keep Brazil from creating good attacks off the turnovers. Solo continued her strong play early in the second half, diving off her line to snare a cross from Marta in the 53rd minute. Marta took ball off Formiga's feet on the left sideline dribbled down the end line before delivering the cross.

Brazil controlled most of the possession in the first 20 minutes of the second half, getting help from right back Renata Costa to test the U.S. defense. Costa made a nice run in the 63rd to earn a corner but Brazil wasted the opportunity.

U.S. defender Heather Mitts, one of the most active defenders, gave away a free kick just outside the area moments later but Costa drove the ball into the wall and the Americans cleared.

The United States still continued to struggle in midfield through the first 25 minutes of the second half, failing to set up the offense and often turning the ball over.

With more space opening on the field, Marta created one of the best chances of the game in the 72nd minute, but was denied by the best save of the match from Solo.

Marta had the ball on the left and, after Mitts and U.S. defender Kate Markgraf ran into each other, dribbled around them both for a one-on-one chance. Marta poked the ball toward the near post, but Solo made a quick reaction to deflect the close-range shot with her right hand.

Solo punched another corner out in the 79th minute, and easily handled a lofted shot from Marta in the 82nd that was a little off target. The United States finally created a few chances in the final 10 minutes, nearly getting a chance on an empty goal when Brazil goalie Barbara came way off her line. She recovered to knock the ball wide for a corner, denying Amy Rodriguez a sure goal.

Hucles followed with her best chance in the 86th minute, drilling a first-touch shot from the top of the box at the left post. Barbara dove to her right to get to the ball and didn't allow a rebound.

Brazil won another free kick just outside the area in the 89th, but Formiga's cross was headed well wide by Cristiane.

The U.S. countered with the best scoring chance of the match when Rodriguez got free behind Brazil's defense for a one-on-one chance against Barbara. Rodriguez decided to try a chip shot but didn't loft the ball high enough and Barbara got a piece of it.

Rodriguez had another shot seconds later but it didn't test Barbara, who made an easy save. Brazil had its last chance in regulation off a corner in the 92nd minute but the ball was cleared by Markgraf.

Rodriguez had the first scoring chance of overtime, forcing Barbara to make a diving save at the right post four minutes into extra time. Although she couldn't find the net herself, Rodriguez helped set up the winning goal two minutes later. Rodriguez, with her back to the goal, held the ball on the edge of the area to draw a few Brazilian defenders.

Rodriguez then passed the ball across the top of the box to Lloyd, who drilled a one-hop shot from 19 yards past Barbara and inside the far post. Lloyd's goal was her second of the Olympics. She also scored the United States' only goal in a 1-0 win over Japan in the group stage. Marta led Brazil on a furious chase for the tying goal as the U.S. did all it could to hold on. Marta had two chances in the next 15 minutes that she didn't convert.

The Brazilians came within inches of getting the tying goal in the 24th minute of overtime when Marta's free kick went untouched through the area and bounced just wide of the left post.

Lloyd nearly put the match out of reach with four minutes remaining, but missed her second goal by inches when she drilled a shot off the right post. Brazil continued to pressure the U.S., forcing Solo to punch out a corner kick and then make a leaping punch to deflect a cross. The second punched ball went to Costa about four yards from the goal, but she shot the ball into the side of the net.

Cristiane had Brazil's final chance on the final play of the match, but headed just inches wide of the right post. The final whistle followed, setting off a wild celebration for the U.S. and leaving the Brazilians in tears.