Carli Lloyd struck a first-half hat-trick as USA Women beat Japan Women 5-2 to win the World Cup following a goal-laden final in Vancouver, Canada this morning.
Lloyd was the standout performer of the contest as her treble inside the opening 15 minutes sent Team USA well on their way to a third title.
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The Stars and Stripes went into the showpiece at BC Place with a score to settle, having been denied by their Japanese counterparts on penalties in the final four years ago.
Consequently, redemption was among the themes for USA - and their chances of atonement grew dramatically following a fast and furious start to the clash.
Only five minutes elapsed before the Americans moved two ahead. First, Megan Rapinoe's corner was tapped home by Lloyd for a simple finish, before the 32-year-old capitalised on some questionable defence to slot home a second and stun the defending champions.
Norio Sasaki's side struggled to develop a foothold and before long it was three, as Lauren Holiday thrashed a firm volley past the helpless Ayumi Kaihori on 14 minutes to put the Stars and Stripes in dreamland.
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However, it got even better for Ellis's girls moments after the third, as Lloyd, from the halfway line, proceeded to lob Kaihori to complete her treble in style.
On 27 minutes, Japan threw themselves the slimmest of lifelines on the comeback trail when Yuki Ogimi beat Hope Solo from 10 yards to slightly reduce the scale of the task.
Anxiety levels inside the stadium slightly increased early in the second half when Julie Johnston headed into her own net to make it 4-2, but the pendulum swung in USA's favour yet again shortly after.
From the resulting kickoff, the States restored their three-goal cushion through Tobin Heath, who slotted home from eight yards after Japan failed to clear their lines from a corner.
Japan dominated much of the second half but their American counterparts looked significantly more assured in defence as Ellis and co held out for a comprehensive victory.
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