Women´s World Cup final: Japan 2 USA 2 (AET, 3-1 pens)

Japan twice came from behind to secure a dramatic penalty shootout victory in the final of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

Heavy favourites the USA took the lead in regular time and in extra time only for Japan to equalise on both occasions to take the final to penalties.

The Americans then missed their first three spot-kicks as Japan snatched a 3-1 victory in the shootout to secure their first major women’s football title.

After having the better of the early exchanges, it was not until the 69th minute that the USA had something to show for their dominance.

Megan Rapinoe sent a speculative long ball down the middle of the pitch, and striker Alex Morgan out-sprinted the Japanese defence and fired home a left-footed shot from the edge of the area to put the USA ahead.

But just as the Americans looked like they would hold on for their third Women’s World Cup title, Aya Miyama capitalised on a blunder in the US defence to poke home an equaliser with nine minutes left.

Goalscorer Morgan turned provider in the first period of extra time, with her cross from the left-hand touchline finding the head of striker Abby Wambach, who made no mistake from close range.

But with defeat again staring them in the face the Japanese refused to relent, and tournament leading scorer Homare Sawa netted her fifth goal of the campaign to again draw Japan level with three minutes left.

Miyami’s cross to the near post was met by a leaping Sawa, whose back-heeled flick took a slight touch off Wambach before nestling in the back of the net.

Japan’s Azusa Iwashimizu was sent off in the final minute of extra time, but the USA failed to score from the resultant free-kick sending the match into penalties.

Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd all missed their spot kicks to give Japan the early advantage, and despite American goalkeeper Hope Solo’s save off Yuki Nagasato, Saki Kumagai stepped up to deliver the killer blow and give Japan a historic victory.