U.S. Women’s soccer team wins the World Cup:
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.
Yuki Ogimi scored in the 27th minute for Japan to make it 4-1, but by then a United States victory seemed assured. The lead was briefly narrowed in the second half when U.S. defender Julie Johnston put the ball in her own net off a free kick in the 52nd minute, but Tobin Heath extended the lead two minutes later off a corner kick.
The United States, which had reached at least the semifinals in the last three tournaments, claimed its third Women’s World Cup title over all, the most of any country.
If only wimmin’s sports were excitin’.