United States beats Japan 5–2, wins first World Cup since 1999
The United States defeated Japan 5–2 to win its third Women's World Cup, avenging a loss to the Japanese in the last World Cup final.
The U.S. took a quick and ultimately insurmoutable lead early in the first half behind a hat trick from Carli Lloyd. Lloyd scored the fastest hat trick in World Cup history and Lauren Holiday added another goal to put the Americans up 4–0 in the 16th minute.
The Americans had not won a World Cup since 1999, when the team lifted the trophy on home soil. The win was the first in the storied international career of Abby Wambach, who was playing in her final World Cup.
Wambach and 40-year-old Christie Rampone both made appearances late in the game.
• Watch all the U.S. goals: Lloyd's treble | Holiday | Heath
- Dan Gartland
