Germany beat Japan 2-0 on Thursday to win the bronze medal in the Olympic women's football competition.

Substitute Fatmire Bajramaj scored both goals in the second half for the world champions, who were eliminated in the semi-finals by Brazil.

Japan did most of the early attacking but were kept at bay by German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer.

Germany's moves often broke down when their forwards were caught in Japan's offisde trap.

Bajramaj opened the scoring on 69 minutes when she seized on a shot parried by the Japanese goalkeeper at fired the ball into the top of the net.

With 13 minutes left, Bajramaj sealed victory for Germany when she slotted home a Conny Pohlers' cross from a tight angle.

"I don't know how to describe my feelings," said Bajramaj. "Scoring both goals was fantastic, but I would have preferred 1,000 times over to win gold rather than bronze."

It was Germany's third consecutive Olympic bronze after Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000.

Brazil face the United States in the match for gold later Thursday.