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US win another women's water polo gold

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The US have won their third consecutive women's water polo Olympic gold medal with victory in Tokyo.
Camera IconThe US have won their third consecutive women's water polo Olympic gold medal with victory in Tokyo. Credit: EPA

The United States have lived up to their top billing by thrashing Spain 14-5 on Saturday to secure their third straight women's water polo Olympic gold.

Alys Williams opened the scoring after just 27 seconds and the US were well on course at 4-1 after the first quarter.

They led 7-4 at halftime before pulling away for good with seven unanswered goals.

Spain rarely found an opening and were denied by goalkeeper Ashleigh Jonson as they managed only five goals from 32 shots while the US in contrast netted more than half of their 26 attempts, with Madeline Musselman leading the way with three goals.

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Hungary, who handed the American women their only defeat in the group stage, took bronze with an 11-9 triumph over Russia.

The US are the dominant nation on the women's side of the sport with a third straight title from six editions in the event, plus two silvers and a bronze. Only Australia (2000), Italy (2004), and the Netherlands (2008) are the other nations to have won gold.

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They join the men's teams from Great Britain (1908-1920) and Hungary (2000-2008) as the only countries to win at least three straight water polo titles at the Olympics and are the only team to medal in each of the six editions of the women's tournament at the Games.

The US are also three-time reigning world champions, having beaten the Spaniards there as well in the last two finals.

The men's tournament will be completed on Sunday when Greece and Serbia battle for gold and Hungary play Spain for bronze.

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