TheCable

USA ended their 16-year FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy drought with a 5-2 win over Japan to bag their third title.

In a repeat of the 2011 final, which Japan won on penalties, Carli Lloyd scored a 16-minute hat-trick to fire her side to victory.

Barely 15 minutes had elapsed when Lloyd put the USA 4-0 up. Lauren Holiday volleyed the third and though Japan pulled one back through Yuki Ogimi and another when Julie Johnston put through her own goal, Tobin Heath’s goal put the game to bed for the 1991 and 1999 winners.

Lloyd was named as player of the tournament ahead of France’s Amandine Henry, with Japan’s Aya Miyama third.

Hope Solo took the Golden Gloves as the best goalkeeper, Lloyd collected the silver ball as runner-up to top scorer Celia Sasic of Germany while Canada defender Kadeisha Buchanan was the young player of the tournament.

Issa Hayatou represented FIFA president Sepp Blatter at the presentation ceremony.

the USA formed a guard of honour for the Japanese to collect their medals before squad captain Christie Rampone, after her 308th and last international game, donned the armband to lift the trophy alongside Abby Wambach.