Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Sports

USA defeats Japan 5-2 in Women's World Cup final (with VIDEO)

The Americans played to a Star Spangled 53,000 at BC Place on Sunday, and roared out to a 4-0 lead after just 16 minutes.
Kolby Solinsky
98801BCLN2007Alex_Morgan_cropped_England_Women-s_Vs_USA_-16367141639
Alex Morgan is one of Team USA's biggest stars


The 2015 Women's World Cup wrapped up in Vancouver on Sunday and, when it did, the United States stood golden once again – this time after a shockingly dominant 5-2 win over Team Japan, paced by three first-half goals from Carli Lloyd.

Lauren Holiday and Tobin Heath also scored for Team USA, stretching the score to 5-2 after 54 minutes. (The American women actually scored six of the game's seven goals, if you count Julie Johnston's own goal in the 52nd minute.)

Yuki Ogimi scored Japan's first goal of the game, making it 4-1 after 27 minutes. Japan actually led the game's possession with 52 per cent, but the Americans had 15 total shots (seven on target).

It was a roaring start for the Americans, who pumped four goals past Japanese keeper Ayumi Kaihori in the game's opening 16.

"The U.S. wasted little time avenging their final defeat to Japan – a game that also went to penalties – four years prior in Germany," wrote ESPN's W site, recapping the 2011 World Cup Final in Frankfurt, and the USA's near-home crowd advantage in Vancouver.

"Just three minutes after kickoff, the U.S. had the pro-American crowd at the packed BC Place (estimated attendance: 53,341) out of their seats."

The host Canadians fell to England in the tournament's quarterfinal, in a heart-breaking 2-1 loss last weekend in Vancouver. On Saturday, the English capped their World Cup with a bronze finish, defeating the world No. 1, Germany, 1-0 in Edmonton.

Sunday's win gives the United States – one day after celebrating its 4th of July – its third World Cup win since 1991, with the country's last coming in 1999.

VIDEO: USA vs Japan – Carli Lloyd Goal in Women's World Cup Final