FIFA Women's World Cup Final, following China's final appearance against the United States in 1999. This was also only the second final not involving a European team. Route to the final Despite being ranked 1st in the world by FIFA, the United States was the final team to qualify for the 2011 World Cup. After finishing third in the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, which serves as the CONCACAF qualifier, the United States was forced to defeat Italy in a Home and Away playoff. Japan, ranked 4th, qualified for the tournament by finishing third in the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup, which served as the AFC qualifier. Once at the finals, the United States reached the knockout stage by finishing second in Group C behind Sweden, the only team they lost to in group play. They advanced through the quarterfinals on a penalty shootout with Brazil, in which the United States footballer Abby Wambach scored an equalizer in the 122nd minute of the game – in stoppage time, the latest goal ever scored in Women's World Cup play, – to tie the game 2–2 and bring the game into a penalty shootout. The United States then defeated France 3–1 to reach the final. Japan reached the knockout stage by finishing second in Group B behind England, which was the only team to defeat Japan in group play. Japan then stunned the host nation, two-time defending champions Germany, 1–0 in extra time. They then defeated Sweden 3–1 to reach the final match. Match Summary The Americans, the pre-game favorites to win, began strongly and pressured the Japanese for the first 20 minutes. However neither Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe nor Abby Wambach managed to score to take an early lead. In 22', Shinobu Ohno gave Japan its first strike, but to no avail. In 28', Wambach's had a strike hit the bar. The Japanese had a chance in 30' but Ohno's breakthrough was denied by Hope Solo. The Americans resumed pressure and in 44', Christie Rampone almost cleared the Japanese line but was blocked; the Japanese launched an unsuccessful counterattack, ending the first half goalless. Japan had higher possession than the U.S. despite being mostly on the defensive. The second half also began with American domination. Alex Morgan had a golden chance in 49', as Heather O'Reilly drove a low cross towards the near post which Morgan shot towards the net, beating