United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) head coach Jill Ellis couldn't be happier with the performance her side put up in the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
The game finished 5-2, and it was a hard defeat for the 2011 Champions Japan to take. But take nothing from Team USA, who were exceptional on the day.
"After 15 minutes, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming," Ellis, appointed as the head coach of USWNT on a permanent basis in May last year, said.
"We wanted to put them [Japan] under pressure right from the start, and everything fell into place perfectly. To be honest, I couldn't really have imagined things turning out better. However, I did know that my players were capable of doing something exceptional. That's what they were born to do.
"The greater the pressure on their shoulders, the more they perform at a higher level. My backroom staff also did a fantastic job. We have a lot of respect for Japan, but tonight we were completely focused and were able to adapt our style of play perfectly."
The game did produce seven goals - making it the highest scoring Women's World Cup final ever. But the main talking point of the game was the performance of USWNT skipper Carli Lloyd, who led from the front to score an incredible 13-minute hat-trick.
The goals from the 32-year-old came in the third, fifth, and the sixteenth minutes respectively. And by the 17-minute mark, USA led 4-0.
Lloyd's hat-trick took her goal tally to six for the tournament, the same as Golden Boot winner Celia Sasic from Germany.
"I've had people believe in me," Lloyd was quoted by the BBC.
"Fitness was definitely an issue for me but I've turned that into a strength and the mental side of the game is a huge thing.
"I'm just really proud of everyone. It's a surreal moment, we made history."
Japan head coach Norio Sasaki, however was not too displeased with his team's performance, and he has admitted that the US were just too strong.
"My players have given their all in every match, and overall they've had a great tournament here in Canada. Today, though, the Americans were simply too strong," the 57-year-old said.
"We're proud of our performances. Four years ago, we won in Germany and in doing so we really gave the development of women's football in Japan a big boost. This time around, we reached the final, and I hope that this will lead to a new period of growth for the game.
"I would like to congratulate the Americans and thank the Canadians, who organised a superb tournament. USA are on top right now, and it's up to us to emulate them. Women's football in Japan is far from finished," Sasaki added.
The praises in social media for the USWNT spread like wildfire, as big names took to Twitter to congratulate them on the win:
Brazil football legend Ronaldinho wrote - "Congrats United States Women National Team!! FIFA World Cup Champions 2015!! #USWNT "
Even the performances of Japan in the campaign this year wasn't to be forgotten, as ex-Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa posted - "Am so proud of you, Nadeshiko. Entire nation is, again, encouraged by your earnest effort. Thank you, #FIFAWWC15Final"
However, the most shared tweet came from president Barack Obama:
What a win for Team USA! Great game @CarliLloyd! Your country is so proud of all of you. Come visit the White House with the World Cup soon.
— President Obama (@POTUS) July 6, 2015
