So much for pressure, so much for playing a game based on keeping the ball away from the Japanese midfield. All of that was thrown out the window as Carli Lloyd slammed home a pair of goals in the first five minutes of the match.
Up first was a beauty of a corner kick and an even more beautiful run by Lloyd. She left her marker in the dust and slammed home the cross from about 10 yards out, unmarked.
Perhaps Japan was ready to settle down, but the United States weren’t done pouncing on mistakes. Lloyd specifically, as she punched home a ball deep in the Japan box for a 2-0 lead in first five minutes of action.
Set pieces apparently the death of the Japanese in this match? Wow.