United States Women Win Their Fourth World Cup Title

T. James

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After an impressive showing at this year’s tournament, the U.S. Women’s National Team secured their fourth World Cup trophy with a 2 – 0 win over the Netherlands Oranje women. U.S. captain, Megan Rapinoe scored the first goal of the game after converting a penalty and rising star, Rose Lavelle, sealed the victory eight minutes later with a beautiful left-footed strike from just inside the area.

The final game of this tournament, played under a lively atmosphere on this partly cloudy Sunday, had almost 58,000 spectators in attendance. And the audience was treated to an exciting game by both teams, with the game remaining scoreless well into the second half

Earlier in the tournament, the U.S. women dominated their group, winning all three games, scoring 18 goals and allowing none. They then followed their flawless group performance with three successive 2 -1 victories over Spain, hosts France, and Sweden. With such a stellar record, the U.S. team came into the final game as favorites. Having put on a splendid display of their own throughout this event, however, the Netherlands women were up to the challenge. However, the U.S. women proved too powerful for the Netherlands women, winning the game convincingly, with seventeen attempts on the Netherlands goal compared to 5 by the Netherlands women on the U.S. goal.

Early on, the U.S. women signaled their intent by repeatedly surging forward in pursuit of their first goal. They came close to scoring that first goal in the 28th minute, when Julie Ertz sent in a powerful goal-bound shot that was well-saved by the Netherlands goalkeeper and captain, Sari Van Veenendaal. A few minutes earlier, Netherlands right-forward, Lineth Beerensteyn, almost broke free towards goal, but a timely intervention by U.S. goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, rescued the situation.

Van Veenendal was called into action a few more times in the first half, notably stopping a header by U.S. midfielder, Sam Mewis and a near-post attempt by forward, Alex Morgan. Van Veneendaal also saved a powerful left-footed attempt by Morgan from outside the box.

The second half started in much the same way the first ended, with the U.S. women pressing forward for that elusive first goal. The deadlock was finally broken in the 61st minute when Megan Rapinoe converted a penalty. Referee Stephanie Frappart had to consult with VAR before awarding the penalty – the initial call on the field was a corner-kick. A cross into the box was awkwardly defended by Stefanie Van der Gragt, clattering into Alex Morgan, who got to the ball a fraction of a second faster. The VAR review also led to Van der Gragt being given a yellow card for the challenge. Stepping up to take the penalty, Rapinoe placed the ball to the left of Van Veenendaal, leaving the goalkeeper stranded. Rapinoe celebrated her sixth goal of the tournament with what has become her traditional pose.

Eight minutes after the first goal, Rose Lavelle doubled the U.S. women’s advantage with a beautiful strike from just inside the box. Lavelle approached the semi-circle on the edge of the box, side-stepped to the left, before releasing a powerful left-footed shot into the right side of the post, flashing past the diving Van Veenendaal.

With victory within sight, the U.S. women closed out the game with a solid defensive performance as well as occasional forays upfront in search of more goals. Van Veenendaal did well to smother the ball, with Morgan clear on goal. Van Veenendaal also made a remarkable save, stopping Crystal Dunn’s point-blank effort. The Netherlands women pressed on as well in search of a way back into the game. Right-forward Beerensteyn’s decent effort from the edge of the box in the 77th minute was well-gathered by U.S. goalkeeper Naeher. Midfielder Sherida Spitse also came close to scoring a goal, but her long-range free-kick missed slightly left of Naeher’s post.

This victory gives the United States Women’s National Team their fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy, solidifying their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition – Germany, with two trophies, are the only other team to have won more than one FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy. The U.S. Women’s National Team came into this year’s tournament as defending champions, dominated early on, battled late on, and leave, deservedly, as champions again.

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