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Lloyd scores 3 and US defeats Japan 5-2 for World Cup title

United States' Carli Lloyd (10) celebrates her third goal against Japan during first half action in the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 5, 2015. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
United States' Carli Lloyd (10) celebrates her third goal against Japan during first half action in the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 5, 2015. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press 2 min read

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) – Carli Lloyd came up big again. Three times.

And with it came the Americans’ elusive third Women’s World Cup title.

Lloyd scored a hat trick as the U.S. burst to a four-goal lead in the first 16 minutes, and the Americans overwhelmed defending champion Japan 5-2 Sunday for their record third championship and first since 1999.

A sellout crowd that included U.S. Vice President Joe Biden roared in approval for Lloyd’s hat trick, the first ever in a Women’s World Cup final.

When it was over, Lloyd collapsed to her knees and pumped her fists. Forward Abby Wambach bear-hugged teary-eyed coach Jill Ellis, lifting her off the ground.