Three cheers for Team USA!
The U.S. women's soccer team won the FIFA Women's World Cup final in Vancouver Sunday, beating Japan by a score of 5-2. It marked a record third World Cup title for the U.S. women's national team.
U.S. team captain Carli Lloyd scored three goals in the first 16 minutes and set a record for the fastest goal. She is the first woman to score a hat trick in the World Cup final and the third American woman to score a hat trick in any World Cup match, joining Michelle Akers and Carin Jennings Gabarra from 1991.
"It just didn't feel real," the 32-year-old midfielder told Today's Matt Lauer Monday morning. "I don't know why. I don't know if it was because of the fashion, how it was a 5-2 game. It was unbelievable and something that we all have wanted for so long. The heartbreak in 2011, losing to Japan, and then this game, it was just an unbelievable moment—something that we'll cherish for the rest of our lives."
Lloyd is also the first American to score goals in four straight World Cup matches.
Asked how she feels about Team USA's victory, the New Jersey-born athlete told Lauer, "I will savor and cherish this moment for a little bit, because all the hard work has obviously paid off." Lloyd also gave "credit to my teammates and coaching staff," saying, "Without them, none of this would be possible."
"I think a lot of us needed to pinch ourselves and see if this was really happening, because the way that it all unfolded, from start to finish, it was just an epic journey," Lloyd admitted. "One we'll never forget."
The journey isn't over.
President Barack Obama personally congratulated the team (and even gave Lloyd a shout-out), tweeting, "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."
Additionally, a number of other famous fans—including Beyoncé, Fergie and Justin Timberlake—shared congratulatory messages via social media:
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