Carli Lloyd scored three goals in the first 16 minutes as the US beat Japan 5-2 in the Women's World Cup final.
Lloyd's flash of genius devastated Japan in a re-match of last World Cup final where Japan beat the American side in shootout.
Inspired Lloyd drew the first blood with only three minutes into game when she dashed onto a corner kick and drove the ball past Japanese goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori.
Two minutes later, she received a back-heel pass from teammate Julie Johnston and tapped the ball in to make it 2-0.
In the 14th minute, Lauren Holiday put the Americans 3-0 ahead as she volleyed on mis-clearance by the hapless Japanese defender Azusa Iwashimizu.
The 32-year-old Lloyd completed her hat-trick two minutes later with an amazing half-field-long lob.
Japanese forward Yiki Ogimi pulled one back in the 27th minute when she brushed aside Johnston and sent a curved shot past American goalkeeper Hope Solo.
In the 52nd minute, Japanese playmaker Aya Miyama sent the ball into the area and Johnston headed in an own goal when she tried to clear it.
Midfielder Tobin Heath regained the three-goal advantage for the U.S. side with a blank-point shot after two minutes.
World football governing body FIFA gave away the following awards after the US beat Japan 5-2 to lift the Women's World Cup:-
Golden Ball (Best player): Carli Lloyd (United States)
Silver Ball: Amandine Henry (France)
Bronze Ball: Aya Miyama (Japan)
Golden Glove (Best goalkeeper): Hope Solo (United States)
Young Player Award (best player born after December 31, 1994): Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada)
Golden Boot (Top scorer): Celia Sasic (Germany)
Silver Boot: Carli Lloyd (United States)
Bronze Boot: Anja Mittag (Germany)
The following is the list of the winners of the women's football World Cup since the first edition which was held in 1991:
2015 in Canada: US beat Japan 5-2 in Vancouver, Third: England, Fourth: Germany
2011 in Germany: Japan beat US 3-1 on penalties - 2-2 after extra time - in Frankfurt, Third: Sweden, Fourth: France
2007 in China: Germany beat Brazil 2-0 in Shanghai, Third: US, Fourth: Norway
2003 in US: Germany beat Sweden 2-1 - after extra-time - in Los Angeles, Third: US, Fourth: Canada
1999 in US: US beat China 5-4 on penalties - 0-0 after extra time - in Los Angeles, Third: Brazil, Fourth: Norway
1995 in Sweden: Norway beat Germany 2-0 in Stockholm, Third: US, Fourth: China
1991 in China: US beat Norway 2-1 in Guangzhou, Third: Sweden, Fourth: Germany
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Tournament details | |
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Host country | Canada |
Dates | 6 June – 5 July |
Teams | 24 (from 6 confederations) |
Venue(s) | 6 (in 6 host cities) |
Final positions | |
Champions | ![]() |
Runners-up | ![]() |
Third place | ![]() |
Fourth place | ![]() |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 52 |
Goals scored | 146 (2.81 per match) |
Attendance | 1,353,506 (26,029 per match) |
Top scorer(s) | ![]() ![]() (6 goals each) |
Best player | ![]() |
Best young player | ![]() |
Best goalkeeper | ![]() |
Fair play award | ![]() |