USA Women’s national football team crushed Japan 5-2 to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Carli Lloyd’s hat-trick helped her team to bag the much awaited trophy for the third time. Lloyd early goals proved decisive in the game. She scored in the 3rd and 5th minute to cement their grip on the game. Lauren holiday scored the team’s 3rd goal in the 14th minute. The fourth goal was again scored by Carli Lloyd as she completed her hat-trick. Yuki Ogimi pulled one back in the 27th minute to giver her team some hope. Defender Julie Johnston scored an unfortunate own goal in the 52nd minute as the scoreline flashed 4-2. But within a couple of minutes Tobin Heath scored the fifth goal for USA and hammered the last nail in Japan’s coffin.
USA were dominant from the very first minute. They played an attacking brand of football and kept constant pressure on the Japanese defense. This approach yielded them their first goal in the 3rd minute. The lead incresed with two minutes when Lauren Holiday’s curling free-kick was tapped in by Lloyd. Laurent Holiday then found her name on the scoresheet in the 14th minute with a wondeful volley. A long ball was forwarded from the midfield. A Japanese defender failed to clear the ball as Holiday approached the goal and netted.
The 32-year-old midfielder completed her hat-trick in the 16th minute with a brilliant shot. Japan had the ball in their control at that point of time but lost the ball in the opponent’s half. USA made a quick counter attack as Carli Lloyd dribbled past one player and attempted a shot from center line. The Japanese custodian was out of position and the ball went inside an empty net. The veteran midfielder must be credited for her pin point precision.
Japan pulled one back in the 27th minute to reduce the embarrassing scoreline. The defending champions were playing after scoring the goal but lacked finesse upfront. Both the teams headed to the dressing room at the half time with a 4-1 socreline in favour of USA.The margin further reduced in the 52th minute when USA’s 23-year-old defender scored an accidental own goal. The Japanese looked hopeful after the second one and tried desperately to get back to the game. Unfortunately, their joy was shortlived as USA’s Tobin Heath scored a fifth goal to seal the fate of the game.
USA clinched their third World Cup title and the first one in the last 16 years. The last time they had lifted the cup was way back in 1999. Japan on the other hand looked helpless during the final as they failed to defend their title. Nevertheless the Asian giants had a fantastic tournament all through.
Here is the higlights of the final match: