 During the final against underdogs Japan , Wambach 's trademark header goal during the first half of extra @-@ time ( her fourth in the tournament ) , made her the United States ' all @-@ time scoring leader in FIFA Women 's World Cup history with 13 goals , second to Brazil 's Marta and Germany 's Birgit Prinz ( 14 all @-@ time goals each ) . The U.S. was forced to a penalty shootout after a late equalizer by Japan . Japan won 3 – 1 , with Wambach converting the fourth and only successful penalty for the U.S. 
