The United States held off Hungary 8-7 on Friday to capture the women’s water polo title for the fifth time in the last six championships and eighth time overall.
Rachel Fattal scored three goals and goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson made 10 saves to lead the Americans, who are three-time reigning Olympic champions.
The US bounced back from a quarter-final loss at last year’s world championships in Fukuoka. Rallying from an 8-5 deficit in the final quarter, Hungary came up just short of their first women’s world title since 2005.
Spain defeated Greece 10-9 for the bronze medal.
With the win, Fattal, Maggie Steffens and Maddie Musselman all became five-time world champions.
Three years ago, Adam Krikorian’s side became the third nation to win three consecutive Olympic water polo titles after the Hungarian men (2000-08) and British men (1900-20). They will attempt to become the first ever to win four straight this su
