Japan captures World Cup title

Women’s World Cup final soccer match between Japan and the U.S. in Frankfurt, Germany.

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Abby Wambach of the United States, right, jumps for the ball with Japan's Mizuho Sakaguchi. Wambach scored four goals in the tournament.

KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

Fans of the U.S. cheer before the start of the Women's World Cup final soccer match between Japan and the U.S. in Frankfurt July 17, 2011.

ALEX DOMANSKI / REUTERS

Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. controls the ball next to Japan's Shinobu Ohno.

KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

Aya Miyama, left, of Japan challenges Dumfries native Ali Krieger of the U.S.

ALEX DOMANSKI / REUTERS

Homare Sawa of Japan challenges Carli Lloyd of the U.S.

ALEX DOMANSKI / REUTERS

Japan's defender Saki Kumagai and USA's midfielder Carli Lloyd vie for the ball.

JOHANNES EISELE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A Japan supporter cheers prior to the FIFA Women's Football World Cup final match. Japan became the first team from Asia to win the tournament.

JOHANNES EISELE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Kozue Ando, right, and Homare Sawa, left, of Japan and Carli Lloyd of the United States battle for the ball.

Joern Pollex / GETTY IMAGES

Megan Rapinoe, who set up the first U.S. goal, jostles with Yukari Kinga of Japan for possession.

Joern Pollex / GETTY IMAGES

Megan Rapinoe (L) of the U.S. jumps for the ball with Japan's Homare Sawa. Rapinoe, a midfielder, set up several of the goals that helped the U.S. advance to the final.

KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

Japan's midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi (R) and defender Christie Rampone vie for the ball.

DANIEL ROLAND / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Nahomi Kawasumi (L) of Japan and Rachel Buehler (R) of USA battle for the ball.

Martin Rose / GETTY IMAGES

Aya Miyama of Japan, left, ties the game late in the second half. The closest defender is Ali Krieger (11).

Christof Koepsel / GETTY IMAGES

Aya Miyama (L) of Japan scores against U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo.

WOLFGANG RATTAY / REUTERS

Japan midfielder Aya Miyama (center) is mobbed by teammates following her goal to tie the game late in regulation.

CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Alex Morgan of the U.S. (C) attempts to score against Japan's goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori (R).

RALPH ORLOWSKI / REUTERS

Hope Solo, the goalkeeper for the United States, saves a shot in front of Japan's Kozue Ando.

KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

Striker Alex Morgan, the team's youngest player, scores the opening goal for the United States in the World Cup final.

DANIEL ROLAND / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Alex Morgan's opening goal eludes Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori.

KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

United States players celebrate Alex Morgan's goal that gave the team a short-lived 1-0 lead.

Friedemann Vogel / GETTY IMAGES

Alex Morgan (C) of the U.S. jumps for the ball with Japan's Aya Miyama.

THOMAS BOHLEN / REUTERS

Abby Wambach (20) of the United States scores the goal in extra-time that again put the World Cup championship within reach, as the goal came in the 104th minute. Wambach also had scored crucial goals late in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Thorsten Wagner / GETTY IMAGES

Yuki Nagasato (R) of Japan and Christie Rampone of the U.S. battle for the ball.

Joern Pollex / GETTY IMAGES

U.S. striker Abby Wambach heads the ball.

JOHANNES EISELE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Homare Sawa (not in this picture) of Japan scores her team's second goal.

Thorsten Wagner / GETTY IMAGES

Abby Wambach of the U.S. celebrates the second goal with Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Ali Krieger.

Christof Koepsel / GETTY IMAGES

Japan's Saki Kumagai scores the decisive penalty kick past United States goalkeeper Hope Solo during the shootout. Japan won the shootout, 3-1.

Michael Sohn / AP

Luz Martinez-Miranda, left, reacts with Jim McMahon, center, Saadiq Luqman, right, and other fans at Redline in Washington, DC, as they watch the U.S. lose to Japan.

/ Matt McClain - for The Washington Post

Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori saves midfielder Tobin Heath's penalty in the shootout. The U.S. made only one of its penalty kicks.

PATRIK STOLLARZ / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Japans players celebrate their first World Cup title.

CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

The team of Japan celebrates after winning the FIFA Women's World Cup Final match.

Friedemann Vogel / GETTY IMAGES

The USA looks dejected on the podium after losing 3-5 after penalty shoot-out.

Christof Koepsel / GETTY IMAGES

Goalkeeper of the U.S. Hope Solo (R) is consoled after the penalty shootout against Japan.

KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

Kozue Ando of Japan (top) embraces Yuki Nagasato of Japan after winning 5-3 after penalty shoot-out the FIFA Women's World Cup Final match.

Christof Koepsel / GETTY IMAGES

Japan's players celebrate with the trophy.

KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

Hope Solo of the U.S. after losing in the penalty shoot-out.

Christof Koepsel / GETTY IMAGES

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