When a World Cup novice is faced
with a foe as experienced and ruthless as USWNT, the outcome is almost
inevitable and so it was 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 two goals within eight minutes sealed the underdog's fate. In a tournament where she has transcended her sport, Megan Rapinoe coolly
drilled home a penalty before a Rose Lavelle thunderbolt made sure of a second
successive title for the US.
This
is the World Cup where it became apparent that the USWNT is being rapidly
pursued by those European countries whose men's national teams have long since
been a force. Leading the chase is the Netherlands, European champion and a
finalist in just its second World Cup, which is part of a pack, but all
challengers have been vanquished. Thailand, Chile, Sweden, Spain, France,
England and now the Netherlands have all swept aside by a team which is now
unbeaten in 17 World Cup matches.
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