2015 FIFA WWC: USA beats Japan 5-2, claims 3rd title

Vancouver, Canada (PANA) - Team USA claimed its third FIFA Women's World Cup here Sunday with an emphatic 5-2 win over defending champion Japan.

For the Americans, Sunday's final was the opportunity to pay Japan back in its own coin as the Japanese were the ones who stopped USA from winning its third title four years ago.

In the 2011 final match, the two teams tied 2-2 at the end of regulation play and the Japanese prevailed 3-1 on penalties.

On Sunday, however, Carli Lloyd's hat-trick (in the 3rd, 5th and 16th minutes), Lauren Holiday's strike in the 14th minute and Tobin Heath's delivery in the 54th helped USA to end a 16-year FIFA Women’s World Cup drought, lifting the Stars and Stripes to their third title.

Japan's two goals came from Yuki Ogimi in the 27th minute and Julie Johnston's own goal in the 52nd.

Earlier on Saturday, England defeated Germany 1-0 in Edmonton to finish third.
-0- PANA VAO/SEG 6July2015