Expectedly, the USA have retained the Women World Cup after a 2-0 defeat of European champions, Netherlands in Lyon, France on Saturday.
But it was not as easy as anticipated as the Dutch stretches the Americans who had to depend on a 62nd minute penalty kick to shoot ahead.
Captain of the side, Megan Rapinoe, converted the kick. The award had to be subjected to VAR review.
Stefanie Van Der Gragt made a high-footed challenge on Alex Morgan, who went down in the box, and having initially awarded a corner, referee Stephanie Frappart then watched back footage pitchside before pointing to the spot.
Rapinoe subsequently produced a composed finish from 12 yards to take her goal tally for the tournament to six, moving her level at the top of the scoring charts with Morgan and England’s Ellen White.
The US looked the more likely to score in the latter stages as the Dutch became increasingly stretched in defence, but it remained 2-0 as the US saw out the victory to win the World Cup for the fourth time.
