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The Globe and Mail
The undefeated – and almost unchallenged – US women’s soccer team successfully defended their world championship on Sunday.
Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring in the 61st minute with a penalty against the Netherlands in the Women’s World Cup final.
Referee Stephanie Frappart awarded the penalty following a video review showed that defender Stefanie van der Gragt made a high challenge on striker Alex Morgan.
Rapinoe confidently struck the spot-kick down the middle and past a static Sari van Veenendaal, who seemed to anticipate Rapinoe would shoot to the side and was wrong-footed.
It was Rapinoe’s sixth goal, tying her with Morgan and England’s Ellen White at the top of the scoring charts.
Rose Lavelle put the United States up 2-0 with a fine solo goal in the 69th minute.
The midfielder collected the ball some 30 metres out, advanced to the penalty area and skipped past van der Gragt before planting a low shot past van Veenendaal.
She was mobbed as she dived into the arms of her teammates as she sprinted to the U.S. bench to celebrate.
