Americans capture fourth World Cup title
Second-half goals by Rapinoe and Lavelle clinch back-to-back trophies for US over European-champion Dutch
LYON (Reuters) – The United States won a record-extending fourth women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday evening as second-half goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle confirmed America’s status as the leading power in the women’s game.
The defending champion struggled to gain dominance for an hour before a Rapinoe penalty, her sixth goal of the tournament, broke the deadlock and a fine individual effort from Lavelle in the 69th minute put the outcome beyond doubt.
The Dutch, who are the European champions, ran out of steam after Rapinoe opened the scoring in the 61st minute, having done more than any team to frustrate the Americans.
A perfect occasion for Rapinoe, whose outspoken views have been prominent especially on the pay disparity between men and women players, was capped when FIFA chief Gianni Infantino was greeted with chants of “equal pay, equal pay” by American fans.
At 34, Rapinoe is unlikely to be back on this stage in four years’ time, but it is hard to imagine her walking away from the battles she has led with the US Soccer Federation and world governing body FIFA over fairer terms for the women’s game.
However, amidst the firework celebrations after the final whistle, Rapinoe’s thoughts were on her team’s triumph – their second in a row after the 2015 victory in Canada.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Rapinoe. “Just to know all of the people in our group that put in so much work, obviously the players. We have all our friends and family here. It’s like history I don’t know how to feel right now. It is ridiculous.
“We’re crazy that’s what makes us special. We just have no quit in us. We are so tight. We will do anything to win.”
The purple-haired winger was back in the starting lineup after sitting out the 2-1 semifinal win over England with a slight muscle strain.
Rapinoe’s place in the side came at the expense of Christen Press while Netherlands left-winger Lieke Martens was fit to play after overcoming a toe injury.
The Dutch made an aggressive start, with some strong challenges, and midfielder Sherida Spitse picked up a booking in the 10th minute for a lunging challenge on Lavelle.
The US, which had scored in the opening 12 minutes of every previous game at this tournament, was struggling to settle as its opponent harried and closed it down quickly.
The Netherlands looked to hit the Americans on the counter-attack and that approach almost bore fruit in the 26th minute when Vivianne Miedema released Lineth Beerensteyn through the middle, but US keeper Alyssa Naeher was alert.
However, as the half wore on, the US gradually gained the upper hand and Dutch ’keeper Sari van Veenendaal did well to parry a fierce first-time drive by Julie Ertz in the 28th minute.
Then Alex Morgan turned a low cross from Rapinoe goalwards and Van Veenendaal tipped the ball against the post before safely gathering it.
The pressure was mounting as Morgan brought the Dutch netminder into action again with a fine shot on the turn in the 40th minute.
US defender Kelley O’Hara had to be substituted at halftime, following a clash of heads with Martens, and Ali Krieger came on at right-back.
Encouraged by their first half resilience, the Dutch stuck with the same tenacious approach after the break, but their aggression proved to be their downfall.
Stefanie van der Gragt’s foot caught Morgan’s upper arm after a high challenge in the box and the American fell to the ground. After initially awarding a corner, the French referee turned to the video review and then gave a penalty.
Rapinoe took the responsibility and coolly slotted the ball past the almost stationary Van Veenendaal to bring to life the large American contingent in the capacity crowd of 57,900.
Suddenly the US was more relaxed and the Dutch appeared to lose not only their cohesion but also their energy.
Perhaps sensing that dip, Lavelle took the game directly to the Netherlands – bursting out of midfield towards the heart of the defense and dropping her shoulder to the left before unleashing a sweet shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
The Americans were suddenly swarming all over the Dutch, Tobin Heath, Morgan and Crystal Dunn all threatened to add a third goal.
If the Dutch were going to get back into the game a set-piece looked the most likely route and Spitse went close with a free-kick in the 80th minute that flashed just wide.
But that was their last attempt at making a comeback that, in truth, never looked likely.
The Americans had outlasted the Dutch and a fourth World Cup crown was theirs to celebrate with their adoring fans.
“This is an amazing group of players, but even better group of people,” said US coach Jill Ellis. Just fantastic resiliency, just chemistry. They put their heart and soul into this journey and I cannot thank them enough. It’s been fantastic.
“I just said to them they were unbelievable. Congratulations. They made history. Enjoy it. This is unbelievable.”