The United States struggled to beat hottest favorite Brazil 1-0 in the extra time to claim the women's soccer title at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday.

Brazil, the Olympic runners-up in Athens and World Cup runners-up in 2007, had to settle second again.

World Cup champions Germany, who was crushed by Brazil in the Olympic semifinal, beat Japan 2-0 in the bronze medal match on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2008)