Japanese keeper Ayumi Kaihori but was denied by the post. Kozue Ando and Ohno made the American defenders hustle from 54' to 56' before Aya Sameshima's corner kick was cleared. In 60', the Japanese almost got a chance to score when Yukari Kinga thrashed Sawa's excellent lofted through pass over the bar. In 69', Alex Morgan reacted first to a deep ball from Rapinoe, held off a challenge from Kumagai before drilling a low left-footed shot past Kaihori to give the U.S. a major breakthrough, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead. The Japanese side regrouped and attacked the U.S., but Rampone's good defending management proved hard to break. However, in 81', as the U.S. attempted to counterattack, they were caught off guard by quick Japanese response, and while Ali Krieger have cleared the first chance, a mis-touch by Rachel Buehler provided Aya Miyama a golden chance, and she didn't miss it to level 1–1 for Japan. The U.S. attacked hard for the remaining time, but there was no goal to come as the two sides settled 1–1 after 90 minutes. Extra-time began with Japan enjoying better possession as usual, though they still maintained a defensive approach to fight against strong American attacks. In 104', when it appeared that they would end the first half of extra-time with no goal, Wambach's powerful header from the centre of the area off of Morgan's excellent pass gave the U.S. a 2–1 lead. With the second half of extra-time started, the Japanese looked exhausted and the U.S. appeared to have an advantage. However, mistakes by American defenders allowed Miyama and Homare Sawa to make direct threats, though there was no goal. But in 117', Japan received a corner kick; Miyama sent a low ball to Sawa, who ran towards the near post, made the corner before any U.S. defender and poked the ball over Solo to level it again. The result was kept til the end of extra-time even after Azusa Iwashimizu received a red card, sending the game to a penalty shoot-out. For the United States, Shannon Boxx, Lloyd, and Tobin Heath missed three straight kicks, while only Yūki Nagasato missed the net out of Japan's first three attempts. Wambach tried to salvage it with a goal, but it went in vain when Saki Kumagai scored the decisive penalty to give Japan the World Cup trophy for the first time. They dedicated the