United States ended its 16-year FIFA Women’s World Cup drought on Monday morning, trouncing holders Japan 5-2 in a thrilling final played before a largely pro-American crowd in Vancouver, Canada.
A scarcely believable four-goal salvo inside the opening 16 minutes lifted the spirit of the 53,341 soccer fans that stormed the stadium to watch the two finalists of the 2011 tournament in action, fifa.com reports.
The Americans were quickest to the ball from the opening whistle and immediately reaped greater rewards than they could ever have imagined.
A low driven Megan Rapinoe corner from the right deceived a flat-footed Japan defence and Lloyd finished first time from near the penalty spot to put a perfect flourish to a training ground move.
Barely 150 seconds had passed on the stadium clock but, incredibly it was about to get even better for the Stars and Stripes. A low free-kick from Lauren Holiday evaded a swathe of players before the ball found its way, almost magnetically, to Lloyd who applied the finishing touch from close range.
The two-time champions were 2-0 up inside five minutes and Lloyd had nabbed the two fastest goals in Women’s World Cup Final history.
The Japanese were looking uncharacteristically shaky at the back and when central defender Azusa Iwashimizu failed to deal with a Tobin Heath delivery, Holiday latched onto the loose ball to volley home. Only 14 minutes had elapsed but the Americans already had one hand on the trophy.
Just two minutes later the contest was effectively over as Lloyd completed a 13-minute hat-trick with a goal straight from the realms of fantasy. Collecting the ball inside her own half Lloyd advanced before unleashing a high shot from the halfway line over the head of Ayumi Kaihori, whose desperate back-peddling only resulted in finger-tipping the ball onto the inside of the post and into the net.
Incredibly Lloyd, playing the match of her life, almost immediately scored another, heading just wide and narrowly failing to become the first person to score four in a World Cup Final of either gender. Then it was the turn of Alex Morgan who made a trademark driving run into the box and although she did not make full connection with her shot Kaihori was still forced into a diving save.
However, Japan grabbed a much-needed goal midway through the opening half thanks to inspired finishing from Yuki Ogimi who ended Hope Solo’s run of 540-minute unbeaten run by superbly spinning away from marker Julie Johnston and coolly firing home.
The Nadeshiko momentarily looked like they would pull another goal back three minutes later and only some fine scrambling defending prevented a clear shot on goal with Aya Miyama’s final shot unable to trouble Solo.
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