Mission accomplished for Carli Lloyd
It was her goal to help her team bring the World Cup trophy to the United States for the first time in 16 years.
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Japan stood in her way, but it never stood a chance as the Americans' No. 10 stung quickly and often to guide the United States to a record third Women's World Cup.
Carli Lloyd had three early goals, and the United States won their third Women's World Cup title.
The 5-2 victory last Sunday over the defending champions, gave the Americans their first opportunity to lift the World Cup trophy since 1999.
The seventh edition of the WWC was historic by all standards. It began in record-breaking style, with 24 teams lining up for the very first time in the competition’s history, and ended on a similarly momentous note, as USA became the first nation to lift the trophy three times.
Just for good measure, Canada 2015 also yielded an all-time-high of 112 goals, one more than the previous best, set at Germany 2011.
The tournament ended on a suitably spectacular note, as it was the first time it had recorded a heavy scoreline in the final.
It was also appropriate that the 32-year-old midfielder should prove USA’s hero. Lloyd missed a penalty in the shootout that decided the Germany 2011 final between the same two sides, which ended with the Nadeshiko celebrating their first world title.
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Lloyd indeed was the star of stars last Sunday, and throughout the tournament as her hat-trick was the also the first in a women's final.
Awarded the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s most outstanding player, Lloyd later described her side’s performance as “historic.”
"I'm so proud and so zapped at the same time," Lloyd said. " It doesn't feel real. We just made history."
The performance of the Americans drew an enthusiastic response from US President Barack Obama, who tweeted his congratulations to the victors: “What a win for Team USA! Great game @CarliLloyd! Your country is so proud of all of you. Come visit the White House with the World Cup soon.”