USA vs Japan, or, the goalfest known as the FIFA Women's World Cup Final 2015
Or, what the hell just happened there?!!!
It's as well I couldn't watch the final live because I'd never have gotten to sleep afterward. This match had the extra interest of being a rerun of 2011's final, which Japan won after the USA fell apart in the penalty shootout.
The USA was my pick (just like, ahem, last time) because they were the most complete team. But I didn't think I'd be sitting there with my mouth hanging open when Carli Lloyd scored within three minutes of the whistle blowing. And that was just the start...
5' Why did I bother to close my mouth? The USA open up the Japanese defence again, so that their captain can score, again.
13' Lauren Holiday takes her turn. 3-0. I'll just keep my mouth open for the rest this match like I'm catching flies, it'll save time.
16' Just as well I was still catching flies. Hattrick for Lloyd with a shot from halfway! 4-0.
27' The Japanese clearly aren't going to lay down and die. That was one beautifully measured goal by Ogimi. 4-1. They sub on two fresh attackers, including veteran Homare Sawa who captained Japan to victory four years ago.
52' Own goal by Johnston thanks to a Japanese free kick. 4-2.
54' Should've kept eyes as well as mouth open. I blinked and there was another goal for the USA. 5-2. You can see all the goals here, btw.
The teams didn't seem to think this was enough because there was still plenty of attacking play. But there was no coming back for Japan. USA's set pieces were better and they didn't leave Japan a whole lot of time for their passing game. Big congrats to the winners, it was very much deserved.
As both teams have a number of big names who will be retiring soon, I look forward to seeing what the refreshed teams bring to the game in France in 2019!
It's as well I couldn't watch the final live because I'd never have gotten to sleep afterward. This match had the extra interest of being a rerun of 2011's final, which Japan won after the USA fell apart in the penalty shootout.
The USA was my pick (just like, ahem, last time) because they were the most complete team. But I didn't think I'd be sitting there with my mouth hanging open when Carli Lloyd scored within three minutes of the whistle blowing. And that was just the start...
5' Why did I bother to close my mouth? The USA open up the Japanese defence again, so that their captain can score, again.
13' Lauren Holiday takes her turn. 3-0. I'll just keep my mouth open for the rest this match like I'm catching flies, it'll save time.
16' Just as well I was still catching flies. Hattrick for Lloyd with a shot from halfway! 4-0.
27' The Japanese clearly aren't going to lay down and die. That was one beautifully measured goal by Ogimi. 4-1. They sub on two fresh attackers, including veteran Homare Sawa who captained Japan to victory four years ago.
52' Own goal by Johnston thanks to a Japanese free kick. 4-2.
54' Should've kept eyes as well as mouth open. I blinked and there was another goal for the USA. 5-2. You can see all the goals here, btw.
The teams didn't seem to think this was enough because there was still plenty of attacking play. But there was no coming back for Japan. USA's set pieces were better and they didn't leave Japan a whole lot of time for their passing game. Big congrats to the winners, it was very much deserved.
As both teams have a number of big names who will be retiring soon, I look forward to seeing what the refreshed teams bring to the game in France in 2019!