Japan and the USWNT came into the game thinking that it would be hard to get a goal against their opponent but that was not the case. The American captain, Carli Lloyd was on fire in the first 15 minutes of the game and scored three on Japan to help her team grab an early 4-0 lead.
The first one was scored before the third minute of the game. Just two minutes later, Lloyd scored another goal. Lauren Holiday gave the United Stated a 3-0 lead in the 14th minute and another two minutes later, Lloyd scored her third goal of the night, making it the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history!
Lloyd only missed one chance out of the first for shots on goal she had. She also now has a total of six goals in the Women's World Cup, tied with Germany's Celia Sasic as the leading goalscorer of the tournament.
Lloyd was part of the UWSNT that was not able to beat Japan in the 2011 final. She took the second penalty kick that time and her shot went over the crossbar. Now, she has taken matter into her own hands and become the star not only of her team, but of the whole game.
The number 10 of Houston Dash has scored in four of the seven games her team has played. This time, she seemed to really take advantage of the sun that was right on the eyes of Japan's goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori. The USWNT had not received a goal since their first game against Australia.
This is how Twitter reacted to her Lloyd fire!
Carli Lloyd for president in 2016
— Nath & Jaimerz (@i_speak_futbol) July 5, 2015
Carli Lloyd is fast, ruthless and efficient. My kind of woman. #USAvJPN
— Francis J. Underwood (@RepUnderwoodSC) July 5, 2015
Wow @CarliLloyd has gotten close to 80,000 new followers from her 1st goal until now.She will be close to Alex Morgan if this keeps up.
— Martin Brian Ansah (@DaAnsahonSports) July 5, 2015
#USWNT breaking all kinds of records here tonight.. First half down and 4-1! 3 for @CarliLloyd! @laurenholiday12 another! Great first half
— Natalie Morales (@NMoralesNBC) July 5, 2015
New statue dedicated to Carli Lloyd. pic.twitter.com/lI3J1FgvLw
— SportsNation (@SportsNation) July 5, 2015
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE...@CarliLloyd's goal from midfield #USA https://t.co/a2ylyVcD17
— World Soccer Shop (@worldsoccershop) July 5, 2015