clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

United States Wins Third World Cup, Beats Japan 5-2

Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick 16 minutes into the game to give the US a 4-0 lead and the USWNT never looked back.

By Jake Catanese
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

It's been 16 years, since the United States Women's National team has lifted a FIFA World Cup. The drought is finally over.

Carli Lloyd capped of a hat trick just 16 minutes into the game with a golazo from midfield en route to a 4-0 US lead over Japan and despite a valiant effort from the 2011 World Champions, the early deficit was too much to come back from.

It was a dream start for the Americans when Lloyd sliced home a low, bouncing ball following a corner kick in the 3rd minute. Two minutes later she doubled the USA's lead in similar fashion and a 2-0 lead just five minutes into the game. Lauren Holiday smashed home a volley in the 14th minute and the rout was on against a shocked Japan side. But the fourth goal the US scored by Lloyd to cap her hat trick was amazing.

From midfield Lloyd unleashed a shot to catch Japan's keeper Ayumi Kaihori off her line and capped the 4-0 opening start.

But to Japan's credit, they settled into the game and started their comeback, Yuki Ogimi pulled one back in the 27th minute with a close range finish past US keeper Hope Solo. Japan head coach Norio Sasaki used two substitutions in the first half to try and change his teams fortune including subbing on legendary midfielder Homare Sawa after just 33 minutes.

In the second half Japan's repeated service into the penalty area finally paid off as Julie Johnston was credited with an own goal in the 52nd minute while trying to clear a free kick. The ball glanced off her and into the side netting as Solo tried in vain to claw the ball out of the net.

Minutes later the US would restore their dominance on the game when Tobin Heath slotted home the USA's fifth goal in the 54th and the final goal of the match and the 5-2 scoreline.

Jill Ellis subbed on Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone for late cameos in what will probably be both players last World Cup games. Wambach had never won a World Cup title before and Rampone is the only player on the 2015 team that was on the roster when the USA last a title in 1999.

Carli Lloyd was awarded the Golden Boot as the tournament's top player as well as the Silver Boot for the co-leading scorer losing a tiebreaker with Germany's Celia Sasic, both players had six goals in the tournament.

Congratulations to the USWNT players and coaches on their third World Cup title.

More From The Bent Musket