FIFA Women's World Cup 2015: US humble champions
Carli Lloyd became the first woman in the Fifa Women’s World Cup history to score a hat-trick
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-07-07 02:07 GMT
Vancouver: Carli Lloyd became the first woman to score a hattrick in a World Cup final as she inspired the United States to a 5-2 demolition of defending champions Japan. The United States, winners in 1991 and 1999, became the first nation yesterday to win the crown three times and avenged their loss to Japan on penalties in the 2011 final.
Lloyd, 32, scored her first goal after just three minutes on the pitch at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium with the second coming two minutes later, and her third after 16 minutes.
“I was on a mission today,” said Lloyd, whose teammates Lauren Holiday (14) and Tobin Heath (54) also found the net.
Yuki Ogimi got one back on 27 minutes for the Asian champions with their second coming thanks to a 52nd-minute own-goal by US defender Julie Johnson. Coach Jill Ellis said her only thought after the early goal-fest was: “"Pinch me, wake me up! We’d talked about starting fast, and I just knew that the players could deliver. These players were born for the big moments,” she added.
“I envisaged us winning the trophy. I think five (goals) is a dream come true,” coach Ellis added.
Super star Carli basks in glory
American Carli Lloyd stole the show with a stunning hat-trick against Japan on Sunday. “I dreamed and visualised playing in a World Cup final and scoring four goals. It’s a surreal moment, we just wrote history,” Lloyd said.