It took all of 15 minutes for the USA to stamp their authority all over the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Vancouver today.
Though the reigning champions Japan – on paper – posed a more than mighty threat in the game, the US caught them completely off guard in the opening moments of the match. And in the blink of an eye, it was all but over.
An unbelievable hat trick from Carli Lloyd and an additional strike from Lauren Holiday had the scoreboard reading an incredible 4-0 with just 15 minutes on the clock, sending the US into raptures, and leaving the Japanese shellshocked.
Lloyd’s third goal was the highlight of the match – a 54 yard bomb from dead centre midfield that cleared the desperate hand of Japanese keeper Ayumi Kaihori.
Though the Japanese did find their feet – even striking back via Yuki Ogimi in the 27th minute, the first goal allowed by US keeper Hope Solo since their opening match of the tournament against our very own Matildas – the game was effectively already beyond their reach.
A Julie Johnston own goal and a strike from midfielder Tobin Heath punctuated a second half that existed as a mere formality, as the US women ran out 5-2 victors, ending a sixteen year drought to clinch the World Cup for a record third time.
A near capacity crowd of over 53,000 packed the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, bringing to a close one of – if not the – most successful and gripping Women’s World Cups ever.
And if you’re in two minds about the fan’s enthusiasm, we present to you Exhibit A.
[Editor’s Note: Video has since been deleted]
Congratulations, USA! We’ll see in four year’s time in France.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images.
