Japan win FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after a penalty shootout victory over USA, following a 2-2 draw on 120 minutes normal time and extra time in Frankfurt. With the triumph Japan became the first Asian nation to win the Women’s World Cup.
It seem the USA women's soccer team had third FIFA Women's World Cup final victory in hand, but they were exactly where underdog Japan wanted them, as the Asian nation made two dramatic comebacks before winning in penalty shootout.
USA took a lead as Alex Morgan herself scored at the 69th minute. Morgan controlled a beautiful long pass by Megan Rapinoe, then fought off one of the Japanese defensive players, finally blasting a left footed shot by the goalkeeper.
But with nine minutes remaining the Japan side woke up when Rachel Buehler and Alex Krieger failed to clear their lines allowing Aya Miyama to smash the loose ball past Solo.
The game was end to end in the remaining minutes with Kinga and O’Reilly both firing good efforts in on goal without being able to break the deadlock. So for the fourth time in six FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals, 90 minutes proved not enough to find a champion.
Abby Wambach scored her header in the 104th minute, off a cross from Alex Morgan to make USA again took the lead one minute prior to the end of the opening period of extra time. It was Wambach’s fourth of the tournament, all from headers.
For a time, it looked as though that would be the winner, but The Japanese team attacked, and attacked, and attacked, and they had chance after chance, despite the fact that, overall, the USA seemed to dominate much of the match. Finally, Japan tied the game at 2-2, as Homare Sawa scored off a corner kick, which evened things with less than four minutes remaining in overtime. The goal not only ensured the match would be decided by penalties but lifted Sawa into the outright lead as top goalscorer, with five goals.
Japanese Iwashimizu was then sent off for a professional foul as time ran out after break down Alex Morgan.
A nervous looking Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath failed to convert USA's opening three penalties, and while Yuki Nagasato had her effort saved, Japan were not to be denied as Asia claimed the title for the first time.
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