US thrash Japan 5-2 to lift World Cup

Vancouver: Carli Lloyd scored three goals in the first 16 minutes as the US beat Japan 5-2 in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday.

Lloyd's flash of genius devastated Japan in a re-match of last World Cup final where Japan beat the American side in shootout, reports Xinhua.

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.

(IANS)