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The United States won a record-extending fourth women's World Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday as second-half goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle confirmed their status as the leading power in the women's game.
Key points:
- Team USA previously won World Cup titles in 1991, 1999 and 2015
- Captain Megan Rapinoe was named top player and top scorer
- The head of women's soccer at FIFA was booed by the crowd in response to the USA team's fight for equal pay
The defending champions struggled to gain dominance for an hour before a Rapinoe penalty, her sixth goal of the tournament, broke the deadlock and then a fine individual effort from Lavelle in the 69th minute put the outcome beyond doubt.
Rapinoe, whose outspoken views have been prominent throughout the finals, returned to the starting line-up after sitting out the semi-final win over England.
Her place in the side came at the expense of Christen Press, while Dutch left-winger Lieke Martens was fit to play for the European champions after overcoming a toe injury.
The Dutch made an aggressive start, with some strong challenges and midfielder Sherida Spitse picked up a booking in the 10th minute for a lunging challenge on Lavelle.
The US, who had scored in the opening 12 minutes of every previous game at this tournament, struggled to settle as the Dutch harried and closed them down quickly.
The Netherlands looked to hit the Americans on the counter-attack and that approach almost bore fruit in the 26th minute when Vivianne Miedema released Lineth Beerensteyn through the middle but US keeper Alyssa Naeher was alert.
However, as the half wore on, the US gradually gained the upper hand and Dutch keeper Sari van Veenendaal did well to parry a fierce first-time drive by Julie Ertz just before the half hour mark.
Then, Alex Morgan turned a low cross from Rapinoe goalwards and van Veenendaal tipped the ball against the post before safely gathering it.
The pressure was mounting as Morgan brought the Dutch keeper into action again with a fine shot on the turn in the 40th minute.
US defender Kelley O'Hara had to be substituted at halftime, following a clash of heads with Martens, and Ali Krieger came on at right-back.
VAR penalty seals the match
Encouraged by their first half resilience, the Dutch stuck with the same tenacious approach after the break but their aggression proved to be their downfall.
Stefanie van der Gragt's foot caught Morgan's upper arm after a high challenge in the box and the American fell to the ground. After initially awarding a corner, the French referee turned to the video review and then gave a penalty.
Rapinoe took the responsibility and coolly slotted the ball past the almost stationary Van Veenendaal to bring to life the large American contingent in the capacity crowd of 57,900.
Suddenly, the US were more relaxed and the Dutch appeared to lose not only their cohesion but also their energy.
Perhaps sensing that dip, Lavelle took the game directly to the Dutch — bursting out of midfield towards the heart of the defence and dropping her shoulder to the left before unleashing a sweet shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
The Americans were suddenly swarming all over the Dutch, Tobin Heath, Morgan and Crystal Dunn all threatened to add a third goal.
If the Dutch were going to get back into the game a set-piece looked the most likely route and Spitse went close with a free-kick in the 80th minute that flashed just wide.
But that was their last attempt at making a comeback that, in truth, never looked likely.
The US now adds to its 1991, 1999 and 2015 world titles.
"No quit in us"
US captain and goal-scorer Rapinoe, who was a breakout star throughout the competition, said the team's win was "unbelievable".
"Just to know all of the people in our group that put in so much work, obviously the players; we have all our friends and family here. I don't know how to feel right now, it is ridiculous," she said.
"We're crazy, that's what makes us special; we just have no quit in us. We will do anything to win."
She was awarded the Golden Ball as top player, the Golden Boot as top scorer and the unofficial title as a champion for gender equity. She also became the first woman to score on a penalty kick during a Women's World Cup final, her 50th goal in 158 international appearances.
US coach Jill Ellis echoed Rapinoe's words.
"I just said to them they were unbelievable; they made history. Enjoy it. This is unbelievable."
"This is an amazing group of players but even better group of people — just fantastic resiliency [and] chemistry. They put their heart and soul into this journey and I cannot thank them enough."
Equal pay fight takes centre stage
Team USA has been vocal in its fight for pay equality, with members of the squad named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the national soccer federation alleging gender discrimination.
It was filed in federal court last month and says the women are not paid the same as their male counterparts.
Fans, many dressed in red, white and blue, chanted "Equal Pay!" at the final whistle. The crowd then booed FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and French president Emmanuel Macron as they approached the ceremony podium.
On Saturday, Rapinoe launched a scathing attack on FIFA, saying the organisation did not respect the women's game.
Rapinoe earlier drew the ire of US President Donald Trump during the tournament by saying she and teammates would refuse to visit the White House if they won the competition as part of the team's wider push for gender equity.
Reuters
Topics: sport, soccer, women, united-states, netherlands, france
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