Rio 2016: Historic water polo gold for USA women

Omnisports 00:41 - 19 August 2016

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It was a historic night for United States' women's water polo team as they saw off Italy with ease in the gold medal match at Rio 2016.

United States became the first nation to win back-to-back gold medals in the women's water polo after routing Italy 12-5 in Friday's final.

USA have won every major tournament in which they have participated since finishing fifth at the 2013 World Championships, and they extended a two-year winning streak with a hugely impressive performance against Italy.

Kiley Neushul starred with three goals from four shots, while captain Maggie Steffens - the tournament's top scorer - took her tally for the Olympics to 17 to make it 9-4 in the third quarter.

Italy were gold medallists at Athens in 2004 and they only trailed 5-3 by the end of the first half.

But they were blown out of the water by the strength of the American team in the final two periods, and Rachel Fattal and Makenzie Fischer finished with two goals apiece to go with Neushul's hat-trick.

It was a particularly poignant victory for USA coach Adam Krikorian, who travelled home on August 3 following the death of his brother before returning ahead of the competition.