USA 2-0 Netherlands: USA defend Women's World Cup champions & win 4th title

THE UNITED STATES ARE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

Match Events

36' NO PENALTY! Morgan tackled down in penalty area

37' Morgan comes close!

61' Penalty Goal! USA 1-0 Netherlands (Rapinoe)

After checking the monitor, the referee runs back onto the pitch and points to the spot! USA will have a chance to open the scoring!

apinoe stepped up from the spot and slotted it past van Veenendaal, who never moved, into the bottom-right corner of goal!

69' GOAL! USA 2-0 Netherlands (Lavelle)

THE UNITED STATES DOUBLE THEIR LEAD! On a counter-attack, Lavelle dribbled through the midfield, set up a left-footed shot, and hammered it into the bottom-right corner of goal! 

79' GREAT CHANCE! Dunn's shot saved

Match Report

Megan Rapinoe struck a 61st-minute penalty before Rose Lavelle netted a fine solo goal as the United States beat Netherlands 2-0 to become Women's World Cup winners for the fourth time.

Rapinoe plundered her sixth goal of the tournament to ensure Jill Ellis' side successfully defended their title at the expense of a Netherlands team that fought bravely to overcome their underdogs tag but ultimately came up short.

The goal, which came after a VAR review highlighted Stefanie van der Gragt's foul on Alex Morgan, drew Rapinoe level with Morgan and England's Ellen White in the goalscoring stakes, while Netherlands forward Lieke Martens cut a frustrated figure as the Dutch struggled to create chances.

Lavelle provided the best moment of an entertaining clash in Lyon when she carried the ball from the centre circle to the edge of the box before producing a classy finish, the quality of which reflected everything crowds at this World Cup have come to expect from its dominant team.

The European champions certainly played their part but, perhaps fittingly after a tournament marked by the use of technology, the contest hinged on a challenge that might have gone unnoticed without it.