A breathtaking first half of the 2015 Women’s World Cup final in Vancouver saw the U.S. race into a 4-1 lead.
Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick inside the first 20 minutes as the U.S. led 4-0 with Japan stunned.
[ VIDEO: Lloyd’s amazing 16 minute hat trick ]
Lloyd is the first American to score in four straight Women’s World Cup games and also scored the fastest goal ever in a Women’s World Cup final, after just three minutes. The Japanese did improve as the half wore on, but the U.S. offense blew Japan away in one of the most memorable 45 minutes of soccer fans of the U.S. have ever witnessed.
Below you will find videos of all five goals, as the 2015 final produced more strikes in the first half than any other final has managed during a full game.
Enjoy.
Rapinoe’s training ground corner kick to Lloyd works a treat, as the skipper slots home. 1-0 after less than three minutes...
Same combination, same outcome. Lloyd puts the U.S. 2-0 up inside the first six minutes...
Lauren Holiday makes it 3-0 and fans of the U.S. are pinching themselves at this point...
Lloyd makes it 4-0 and seals her hat trick with this amazing strike from the halfway line, becoming the first player in Women’s World Cup history to score three in the final...
Then Japan made it 4-1, with Julie Johnston making an uncharacteristic mistake to let in Ogimi...