2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final

United States players celebrate after lifting the trophy.

Event

2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

United States	Japan

5	2

Date

5 July 2015

Venue

BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Referee

Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)

Attendance

53,341

Weather

Sunny
25 °C (77 °F)

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The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final was the exciting last game of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup! It happened on July 5, 2015, at BC Place stadium in Vancouver, Canada. This big match was between Japan and the United States. It was a special game because it was a rematch of the 2011 final, which Japan had won.

This time, the United States won with a score of 5–2. This victory gave them their first World Cup title in 16 years. They also became the first team ever to win three Women's World Cup finals!

How Teams Reached the Final
- United States' Journey
- Japan's Journey
The Big Match
- Match Details
- Key Moments and Statistics
Images for kids
See also

How Teams Reached the Final

To get to the final, both the United States and Japan played many games. They had to win against other strong teams.

United States' Journey

The United States team started in Group D.

They beat Australia 3–1.
They tied with Sweden 0–0.
They won against Nigeria 1–0.

The U.S. team finished first in their group.

In the knockout rounds, they kept winning:

They beat Colombia 2–0 in the Round of 16.
They won against China 1–0 in the Quarter-finals.
They defeated Germany 2–0 in the Semi-finals.

Japan's Journey

The Japan team was in Group C.

They won against Switzerland 1–0.
They beat Cameroon 2–1.
They won against Ecuador 1–0.

Japan also finished first in their group.

In the knockout rounds, Japan showed their strength:

They beat the Netherlands 2–1 in the Round of 16.
They won against Australia 1–0 in the Quarter-finals.
They defeated England 2–1 in the Semi-finals.

The Big Match

The final game was played on July 5, 2015. It was a sunny day in Vancouver.

Match Details

5 July 2015 16:00 PDT (UTC−7)	United States	5–2	Japan	BC Place, Vancouver Attendance: 53,341 Referee: Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)
	Lloyd 3', 5', 16' Holiday 14' Heath 54'	Report	Ōgimi 27' Johnston 52' (o.g.)

United States

Japan


GK	1	Hope Solo
RB	11	Ali Krieger
CB	19	Julie Johnston
CB	4	Becky Sauerbrunn
LB	22	Meghan Klingenberg
RM	17	Tobin Heath	79'
CM	12	Lauren Holiday
CM	14	Morgan Brian
LM	15	Megan Rapinoe	61'
CF	13	Alex Morgan	86'
CF	10	Carli Lloyd (c)
Substitutions:
DF	5	Kelley O'Hara	61'
FW	20	Abby Wambach	79'
DF	3	Christie Rampone	86'
Manager:
Jill Ellis

A diagram showing player positions during the match.


GK	18	Ayumi Kaihori
RB	19	Saori Ariyoshi
CB	3	Azusa Iwashimizu		33'
CB	4	Saki Kumagai
LB	5	Aya Sameshima
RM	9	Nahomi Kawasumi		39'
CM	6	Mizuho Sakaguchi
CM	13	Rumi Utsugi
LM	8	Aya Miyama (c)
CF	11	Shinobu Ohno		60'
CF	17	Yūki Ōgimi
Substitutions:
MF	10	Homare Sawa	82'	33'
FW	15	Yuika Sugasawa		39'
FW	16	Mana Iwabuchi	85'	60'
Manager:
Norio Sasaki

Player of the Match:
Carli Lloyd (United States)

Main Referee:
Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)

Match rules:

The game lasts 90 minutes.
If the score is tied, there are 30 minutes of extra time.
If still tied, a penalty shoot-out decides the winner.
Teams can use up to three substitutions.

Key Moments and Statistics

The United States started the game incredibly strong!

Carli Lloyd scored a goal just 3 minutes into the game.
She scored again at the 5-minute mark.
Lauren Holiday added another goal at 14 minutes.
Then, Carli Lloyd scored her third goal at 16 minutes! This was an amazing shot from midfield. It completed a "hat-trick" (three goals by one player).

Japan fought back: