A stunning first-half hat-trick from USA’s Carli Lloyd saw the American side wrap up what was ultimately a supremely comfortable 5-2 victory over rivals Japan to secure the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup title.

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Houston Dash midfielder Lloyd, 32, opened the scoring in just the third minute en-route to a remarkable 16 minute hat-trick completed with perhaps the most spectacular long-range strike in World Cup history to crush Japanese hopes at the outset.

With Lauren Holiday also getting in on the act in the 14th minute to make the score 3-0, the East Asian’s found themselves staring down the barrel with a four-goal deficit after just quarter of an hour of play.

To their great credit, though, Japan responded with two attacking subsitutions including the great Homare Sawa and were rewarded for their courage with a Yuki Ogimi consolation on the half-hour mark.

Things got better for Nadeshiko shortly after the interval too, with an own goal helping cut the US lead to just two goals with forty minutes remaining on the clock.

However, Jill Ellis’ side were not about to roll over and concede their lead with USA immediately restoring their advantage through midfielder Tobin Heath.

With their victory margin restored, Ellis was able to bring on veterans Abby Wambach and Christy Rampone in the final stages of the game to help see her side to an unexpectedly comfortable third World Cup triumph.

In doing so, USA claimed revenge for their heartbreaking penalty shootout loss at Japanese hands four years previous.

Germany’s Celia Sasic won the Golden Ball award for best player of the competition, while runner-up Carli Lloyd completed a double individual success by also claiming the Golden Boot top-scorer prize.