Jul 5, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; United States midfielder Carli Lloyd (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Japan during the first half of the final of the FIFA 2015 Women's World Cup at BC Place Stadium. Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports
VANCOUVER,(Reuters) - United States captain Carli Lloyd struck a sensational hat-trick inside the opening 16 minutes of the Women's World Cup final, including a goal from the half-way line, as her team took a shock 4-0 lead against Japan on Sunday.
The opener came in the third minute when Megan Rapinoe drove a low diagonal ball across the area and Lloyd timed her run to perfection, meeting the ball with a powerful, first-time drive past Japan keeper Ayumi Kaihori.
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