Japan Wins World Cup Final: Video Highlights

Japan are World Cup champions. The Japan women’s soccer team won the World Cup Final on Sunday after defeating USA on penalty kicks in a closely fought game played in Frankfurt, Germany.

The United States women’s national team created most of the chances but had to wait until the 67th minute when half-time substitute Alex Morgan slotted the ball into the back of the net against the advancing goalkeeper (see video below).

With the United States fans thinking that the team had sewn up the victory, they were crushed when Aya Miyama took advantage of a mistake by the US defense to tie the game in the 81st minute (see video below).

In the last ten minutes of the game, both games had their chances to grab the decisive goal. But with both teams failing to capitalize on their chances, the game went into extra time.

Then, in the 104th minute, Alex Morgan drove the ball into the box where Abby Wambach perfectly placed a header into the back of the net (see video below).

With the clock ticking down the minutes until the final minute of extra time and the crowd chanting “USA, USA, USA,” it was a tense end to an emotional game.

Again, with the United States thinking that they were going to win the game, Homare Sawa came up to equalize for Japan in the 117th minute. The goal seemed like a killer blow.

When the referee blew the whistle at the end of extra time, with the score tied 2-2, the game went to penalty kicks where Japan won after the US missed most of their chances.

Full credit needs to be given to Japan who were a very difficult team to beat. Their technique on the ball and skill in keeping possession gave the United States an extremely tough time trying to break down Japan. Defensively, Japan was extremely strong and constantly prevented the United States from bearing down on goal.

Congratulations to Japan.