American Alex Morgan’s extra-time header has given USA a 4-3 victory over Canada to send the defending champions into the London 2012 gold medal game.  Canada will play for bronze.

Deep into second half extra-time stoppage time, Morgan found space in the box and got on the end of a cross from midfield substitute Heather O’Reilly to head the USA into the championship game and a World Cup rematch against Japan.

The goal canceled out an incredible hat-trick effort from Canadian captain Christine Sinclair who fired Canada into the lead three times, responding twice to American equalizing goals.

Perhaps the most contentious moment of the game took place in the 80th minute when Canadian keeper Erin McLeod was called for delay of game for not clearing the ball fast enough.  The resulting play was an American free kick inside the Canadian box that led to a handball penalty call.

American striker Abby Wambach slotted home the penalty kick to knot the game at three and send the contest into extra time where the USA was eventually able to prevail.

Sinclair’s third goal of the game was a 73rd minute strike that gave Canada a one goal advantage that they were only able to protect for seven minutes before the penalty call that created the tying goal.

The Canadian captain also scored on a 67th minute cross from forward Melissa Tancredi and a 22nd minute play where she calmly stepped around the final American defender and fired the ball past American keeper Hope Solo.

Sinclair’s three goal performance now puts her on 143 international markers, tying her with Wambach for second all-time on the scoring list.

American midfielder Megan Rapinoe turned in a two goal performance for the winning side including a 70th minute game tying blast and a 54th minute corner that the Canadian defenders and McLeod were not able to deal with watching the ball cross the line before they could clear.

The win sets up a rematch of the World Cup final for the Americans as they will face a Japanese side that qualified for the gold medal game earlier with a victory over France.

Canada will play for its first ever medal in Olympic Games women’s soccer when they take on the French side in the bronze medal game.