France's hope of gold in the Olympic women's football tournament came to an end yesterday when they lost 2-1 to world champions Japan in the semi-finals.

Japan took the lead on 32 minutes after Sarah Bouhaddi failed to hold on to Yuki Ogimi's strike. They doubled their advantage early in the second half when Aya Miyama's inviting free-kick was headed in by Mizuho Sakaguchi. France got back into the game through Eugénie Le Sommer with 14 minutes remaining.

Les Bleues had a glorious chance to equalise moments later when Sakaguchi felled Le Sommer inside the penalty area, but Elise Bussaglia failed to convert from the spot.

Canada lost 4-3 in extra time to the United States in the other semi-final and will play France in the bronze-medal match in Coventry on Thursday. Japan face the US in the final on the same day at Wembley.