FRANKFURT, Germany - Japan became the first Asian nation to win the Women's World Cup on Sunday, beating the United States in a penalty shootout after both sides were level at 2-2 after extra time.

Japan's head coach Norio Sasaki (R) and his players celebrate with the trophy after winning their Women's World Cup final soccer match against the US in Frankfurt July 17, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

The Japanese denied the US team the chance to become the first country to lift the cup three times.

The Americans missed their first three penalties, and Japan went on to win the shootout 3-1 when Saki Kumagai slotted the final shot high past goalkeeper Hope Solo.

In a thrilling final, 32-year-old Japan captain Homare Sawa flicked a corner through a jumble of players and past Solo with three minutes of extra time left to equalize and set up the shootout.

Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time.

"We ran and ran.We were exhausted but we kept running," said Sawa, the top scorer in the tournament with five goals.

"Not one of the players gave up," coach Norio Sasaki said. "The penalty kicks are always a 50-50 percent chance."

Japan's Azusa Iwashimizu was sent off in the last minute of the match for flooring Alex Morgan on a breakaway move, but the US team couldn't score from the ensuing free kick.

After Japan came back in the game late in regulation time, the Americans kept hustling and pressuring and it finally paid off when Alex Morgan sent a pinpoint cross to the towering Wambach in the 104th minute. The forward didn't even have to lift a foot to send her header past goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori from six yards.

The goal gave Wambach four for the tournament, and it looked good enough for the title. She had scored in the last minute of extra time with a header against Brazil, setting up the shootout win in the quarterfinals, and a goal against France in the semifinals.

After dominating play from the start, the Americans went ahead in the 69th minute when Megan Rapinoe sent a 35-meter pass to Morgan, and the substitute hustled past Saki Kumagai to slot home with angled shot from 15 meters.

After seeing one shot hit the post and another the crossbar, the US finally managed what it had been working for against a strangely lackluster Japanese team.

Against the run of play, Japan scored a goal out of nothing in the 81st minute when American defenders Rachel Buehler and Alex Krieger failed to clear a ball, allowing star Japan player Aya Miyama to sneak in and slot home from close range past Solo.

That set up for a wild finish with both sides seeking the winner in regulation time. Japan suddenly found its passing game, threatening whenever the Americans lost the ball.