The United States of America thrashed Japan to clinch a historic third Fifa Women’s World Cup on Sunday, with Carli Lloyd grabbing a scintillating hat-trick in 13 minutes.
Lloyd scored twice within five minutes of play and went on to complete her treble, after Lauren Holiday volleyed in from Azusa Iwashimizu’s poor clearance, but this time in a very eye-catching fashion.
The midfielder lobbed Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori from the halfway line to send a large contingent of the USA supporters at the BC Place stadium into wild delirium.
Japan women were penalty winners the last time both nations met in a World Cup final four years ago, but only held out for consolations via Yuki Ogimi’s strike and Julie Johnston own goal, before Tobin Heath ensured the USWNT were three-goal cushion to the good on the hour mark.
Confederation of African Football (Caf) president, Issa Hayatou, standing in for Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, presented the World Cup trophy to former captain Christie Ramponr and striker Abby Wambach.
The final was the highest scoring showdown in the tournament’s history and the USA have now won it the most.
