Carli Lloyd got the United States on the board first. Then she did it again. And again.
Lloyd scored a first-half hat trick, and Lauren Holiday and Tobin Heath each scored goals as the United States defeated Japan 5-2 to earn the 2015 Women's World Cup. The win breaks a tie with Germany for the most World Cups in history (three) and is the United States' first since 1999.
After suffering a heartbreaking loss to Japan as a heavy favorite four years ago, the United States came out red-hot to ensure there would be no repeat. They scored four goals in the first 16 minutes, highlighted by a trio by Lloyd, whose five goals overall were second in the tournament behind Celia Sasic.