VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The United States defeated Japan, 5-2, in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday, winning in stunningly dominant fashion for its first Cup title since 1999 and denying Japan a second straight championship.
The Americans relied on stalwart defense throughout their run to the final, allowing just one goal in their first six games. But in the final at BC Place Stadium, they scored four goals in the first 16 minutes, an outburst capped by Carli Lloyd’s audacious strike from near midfield.
That goal gave Lloyd a hat trick in the game, and she finished with six goals in the tournament, tied with Celia Sasic of Germany for the highest tally.