Carli Lloyd Leads U.S. Women To World Cup Title With 5-2 Rout Of Japan
Carli Lloyd’s hat trick led a deluge of American goals in the first-half, and the United States routed Japan, 5-2, in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday. The win gave the US Women’s National Team their third World Cup title and first since 1999.
The final outcome was obvious early as Team USA scored four goals in the first 16 minutes, including all three of Lloyd’s tallies. Her hat trick was the first in Women's World Cup final history. She completed the feat with a kick from midfield that sailed over the head of Japanese goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori.
Yuki Ogimi pulled Japan to within 4-1 when she beat U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo in the 27th minute. It was the first goal Solo allowed in 540 minutes, dating to the first half of her team's first match of the tournament.
The U.S. advantage was cut to 4-2 early in the second half on an own goal by Julie Johnston, but minutes later Team USA’s Tobin Heath pushed the margin back to three goals, where it stayed as the match ended and the Americans celebrated.
The victory gave the U.S. team revenge for the 3-1 loss they suffered to Japan in the 2011 World Cup final in Germany.
Lloyd was selected the winner of the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. She scored six goals in seven games.
The next FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled for France in 2019.