9 Jul 2015

USA reclaim Women's Football World Cup title

11:57 am on 9 July 2015

The United States women's football team have beaten defending champions Japan 5-2 to win the Women's World Cup in Canada.

USA Women's Football team celebrate a goal in the 2015 World Cup

USA Women's Football team celebrate a goal in the 2015 World Cup Photo: PHOTOSPORT

A hat-trick to USA captain Carli Lloyd inside the opening 16 minutes helped her side to a 4-1 lead at half-time.

The American midfielder became the first woman to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final and just the second player overall after Geoff Hurst netted three goals in England's 4-2 win over Germany in the men's 1966 final.

Lloyd was voted the World Cup's most valuable player and was awarded the Golden Ball for her efforts.

With the victory, the Americans avenged their loss to Japan in the 2011 final and earned a record third Women's World Cup title, and their first since 1999.