The United States have successfully defended the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final in Lyon.
They cement their place as the most successful country in the history of women’s football, claiming a fourth world crown and becoming only the second nation to win back-to-back titles.
Fittingly, Megan Rapinoe and VAR were both involved in the tournament’s conclusion, with the USA skipper slotting away a penalty awarded upon review.
Thankfully, the technology worked perfectly on the biggest stage, spotting a clear and obvious error after referee Stephanie Frappart failed to spot Stefanie van der Gragt’s foul on Alex Morgan.
Until that point, Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal had kept the scores level with a string of fantastic saves, but the 61st-minute opener proved a turning point.
Just eight minutes later, Rose Lavelle took advantage of newfound space in the Dutch half to drive at the opposition defence and bend a fierce effort into the bottom corner.
The USA’s tally of four Women’s World Cup titles is mightily impressive given this was only the eighth edition of the competition.
Germany were the only team to previously win the tournament twice in a row, in 2003 and 2007.
Both US successes have been achieved under the management of Jill Ellis, who was born in England.
And in more tenuous success for the English, Ellen White finishes as the tournament’s joint top-scorer with six goals, alongside Rapinoe and Morgan.
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