Megan Rapinoe celebrates with team mates after scoring the opening goal
LYON (France), July 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — When a World Cup novice is faced with a foe as experienced and ruthless as the USWNT, the outcome is almost inevitable and so it was on a muggy afternoon in Lyon when the reigning world champion defended its title with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Netherlands.
Competing in its first World Cup final, few gave the Dutch hope. The reigning European champion it may be, but it had not yet come up against the best team in the world, the dominant force of its generation.
The Netherlands held on for over an hour but eventually folded under the pressure with a Megan Rapinoe penalty and a Rose Lavelle thunderbolt securing the US a second successive and fourth world title.
The team will be welcomed home with a ticker tape parade down New York City’s “Canyon of Heroes” on Wednesday morning, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced.
Throughout this World Cup, the top-ranked U.S. women had a lead going into halftime of every match they played. They had never been held scoreless in the first half. In the finals against the Netherlands, it took an hour of game time before Rapinoe broke the scoreless tie for the U.S. on a penalty kick.
“It’s surreal. I don’t know how to feel like now. It’s ridiculous,” Rapinoe said after the victory. “We’re crazy and that’s what makes us so special. We just have no quit in us. We’re so tight, and we’ll do anything to win.” Rapinoe was awarded the Golden Ball as the top player in the tournament.
Goal No. 2 in the finals was scored by Rose Lavelle, at 24 the team’s up-and-coming star, after a solo run up the center of the field.
“She’s superstar, not even in the making, she’s straight up superstar at this point,” Rapinoe said.
This is only the second time the 8th-ranked Netherlands team has appeared in the Women’s World Cup. In 2015, they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Japan — which was, in turn, beaten by the U.S. in the 2015 final.
More than two hours after the epic win, US Pres Donald Trump congratulated the team on Twitter.
“Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup!” he said. “Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!”
Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House Friday that he didn’t know if he’d be able to watch the game but said, “I hope they do well. I hope they win.”
Both Republicans and Democrats, including first lady Melania Trump and former President Barack Obama, swiftly reacted to the win on Twitter Sunday.
Melania Trump
Congratulations to 2019 Women’s World Cup Champions @TeamUSA
Barack Obama
Yes! Fourth star. Back to back. Congrats to the record breakers on the @USWNT, an incredible team that’s always pushing themselves—and the rest of us—to be even better. Love this team. #OneNationOneTeam
Woo-hoo! Congratulations to the @USWNT on their World Cup win. Your persistence on and off the field inspires girls and women everywhere to dream big, fight hard, and win. #FIFAWWC #OneNationOneTeam
Michelle Obama
So proud of you, Team USA—you inspire us all! #OneNationOneTeam
— NNN-AGENCIES
