Lloyd hat trick leads US over Japan 5-2 for World Cup title
Updated: 2015-07-06 09:30
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||
VANCOUVER - Carli Lloyd led from the front as the United States won the Women's World Cup for a third time with a crushing 5-2 victory over Japan on Sunday, the striker scoring the tournament's fastest ever hat-trick, including a spectacular long-range goal.
The American captain struck three times inside 16 minutes as the US stormed into an unexpected and unsurmountable 4-0 lead over their shell-shocked opponents.
Japan, winners four years ago, were utterly stunned as their opponent's deadly finishing ensured the US added to their 1991 and 1999 titles and became the first nation to win the Cup three times.
The game, played in front of 53,341 spectators at a packed BC Place, was the highest-scoring Women's World Cup final ever and, for non-Japanese at least, was an entertaining finale to what has been an excellent tournament.
"Honestly I'm so proud of this team, it's unreal, it hasn't really sunk in, I'm just so unbelievably proud of every woman on this team," an emotional Lloyd said in a pitchside interview.
"I was on a mission to help this team, I just worked my butt off. Collectively, so brilliant, so brilliant, so proud."
No team had ever scored more than two goals in a Women's World Cup final but the brilliant Lloyd went one better all by herself -- and within just 16 minutes.
The opener came in the third minute when Megan Rapinoe drove a low diagonal ball across the area and Lloyd timed her run to perfection, meeting the ball with a powerful, first-time drive past Japan keeper Ayumi Kaihori.
Japan were stunned further just two minutes later when Lloyd doubled the lead -- again from a set-piece.
Another low ball into the box did the damage, this time from a Lauren Holiday free-kick which the Japan defence failed to clear and the ball fell to Lloyd, who gleefully slotted home.
Japan had barely time to regroup before they found themselves 3-0 down in the 14th minute with an awful attempted headed clearance from Azusa Iwashimizu falling to Lauren Holiday, who lashed in a volley from inside the penalty area.
- Guangzhou R&F to partner with amateur soccer group
- Soccer club kicks off new chapter with float
- Aussie soccer star Kewell makes personal payments to sponsor's former boss
- China's top soccer club seeks listing on start-up board
- A professional league will help women's soccer
- China loses to US but sees hope in women soccer
- Women's soccer wages fail to match success on field
- Injured ROK tourists in intensive care
- 36 dead, 26 missing after banca capsized in C. Philippines
- Thai navy plans to buy three Chinese subs
- Mass casualties in Indonesian military plane crash
- Japan's LDP lawmaker denounces Abe's security policies
- More than 100 feared dead in Indonesian military plane crash
- US beat Japan 5-2 to win Women's World Cup
- Top 10 most expensive cities in the world
- Italian designer tailors success in China
- People take part in Independence Day parade in Washington
- Unusual heat wave sweeps across Europe
- Class of 2015 celebrates in Beijing
- Heavy rainfall causes landslide in NW China
- Across America over the week (June 26-July 2)
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Seventh China-US strategic dialogue |
Premier Li embarks on Latin America visit |
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Today's Top News
US urged to 'correctly perceive China's strategic intentions'
China brokers pledge 120b yuan to stabilize stock market
For PetroChina, move to Houston pays off
China-France ties 'benefit all'
Concern over US military strategy
Will Alibaba, Amazon clash?
China-France ties 'benefit all'
Veteran diplomat in Havana shortlisted for ambassador
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |