The U.S. Women’s National Team celebrates with the trophy after they beat Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer championship Sunday, July 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson/Washington Times)
The U.S. women’s national soccer team overwhelmed Japan, 5-2, at Sunday’s World Cup Final and cemented America’s dominance of women’s soccer as the first nation to win the world championship three times.
The game in Vancouver, British Columbia, was settled quickly as the U.S. took a 4-0 lead inside the game’s first 16 minutes, led by a hat trick from star midfielder Carli Lloyd.
Carli Lloyd (10) and Meghan Klingenberg (22) celebrate Lloyd’s third goal against Japan during the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer championship Sunday, July 5, 2015. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP/Washington Times) MANDATORY CREDIT
Lloyd, who received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player, scored three goals inside that period — the first hat-trick in a Women’s World Cup Final, the first of which, scored off a corner inside three minutes, was also the fastest goal in a women’s final.
Her third goal, which gave the U.S. a 4-0 lead and brought her tournament total to 6, was a spectacular shot from midfield that caught Japanese netminder Ayumi Kaihori far off her line.