It continued a remarkable two-year unbeaten run for the US, the only country to have won medals at all five editions since the event was added to the programme at Sydney 2000. 

Makenzie Fischer and Rachel Fattal each scored twice for the Americans, while Kiley Neushul managed three in a 12-5 victory which never looked seriously in doubt.

Goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson was the real star, however, making nine saves from the 13 shots she faced.

The US stretched their unbeaten streak to 22 games.

They claimed silver on water polo's female debut in the Australian city, before following that with bronze at Athens 2004, silver at Beijing 2008 and gold at London 2012. 

In the last three seasons the US have now claimed three successive World League titles, as well World Championship, World Cup, Pan American Games and, now, Olympic crowns.

They celebrated in traditional fashion by throwing their coach into the water.

The victory was particularly poignant given how coach Adam Krikorian had flown home shortly before the start of the tournament to be with his family following the death of his brother, Blake.

All 13 players from the winning team presented their medals to their trainer afterwards in a sign of solidarity.

"The relationships I have with this team means more to me than any medal," Krikorian said. 

"I was thinking about my brother and about how hard this journey has been but it would have been very selfish of me to let what happened to me personally affect this group.

"It was hitting me pretty hard but these girls have worked so hard for four years and some have worked their entire lives for this moment."

US captain Maggie Steffens was named Most Valuable Player for the second successive Olympics after topping the overall scoring charts with 17.

There was more heartbreak for European champions Hungary as they finished fourth for a third consecutive Olympics.

The Hungarians were defeated 19-18 on penalties by Russia in the battle for the bronze medal.