LYON, FRANCE - JULY 07: Megan Rapinoe of the USA lifts the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy following her team's victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final match between The United States of America and The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 07, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Football is a game of 11 players but in the end the USWNT always win

Jul 9, 2019

The USWNT won the FIFA Women’s World Cup for a record fourth time beating the Netherlands by two goals to nil.

Mexico players celebrate with the Gold Cup after beating the US during the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup final football match between USA and Mexico on July 7, 2019 at Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, Illinois. - Mexico defeated the US 1-0 (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) — Mexico players celebrate with the Gold Cup after beating the US during the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup final football match between USA and Mexico on July 7, 2019 at Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, Illinois. – Mexico defeated the US 1-0 (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

One penalty from Megan Rapinoe and one long-range shot from Rose Lavelle the difference between the two teams.

It was no surprise that the Netherlands ran out of fuel in the second half having had one less rest day and an extra half hour played in the semi-finals.

The fact that they rarely rotated their starting XI while the USA had the luxury of using all their outfield players in the group stages and rotating a few players also made a difference.

The three Arsenal players Vivianne Miedema, Danielle van de Donk and Jill Roord, who came on as a sub, as well as the two players who have just left the club – Sari van Veenendaal, who was superb on the day and Dominique Bloodworth – took part in the final and will come home with a well deserved silver medal.

Sari van Veenendaal also claimed an award as she was named the goalkeeper of the tournament:

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1147916742976593922

The young player of the tournament award went to Germany’s Giula Gwinn:

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1147917749894688769

The fair-play award went to the home team France and, to be honest, it is not a great award to receive.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1147919168701894656

The Golden Boot race ended up with three players on six goals so assists and minutes played came into play to see Megan Rapinoe win it:

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1147916346405130246

The players of the tournament award saw England’s Lucy Bronze receive the Silver Ball as she was praised by the Technical Study Group because of her impact in games, especially going forward. Megan Rapinoe was again crowned and the young US playmaker Rose Lavelle ended up with the Bronze Ball.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1147916189223575552

Congratulations to the USA who had to beat Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands in the knock-out stages and deservedly won the tournament.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1147911900774182912

Here is a reminder on how far the Arsenal players goy in the tournament:

Netherlands: runners-up, Vivianne Miedema, Danielle van de Donk, Jill Roord + Sari Van Veenendaal and Dominique Bloodworth.

England: fourth place, Leah Williamson and Beth Mead

France: quarter-finals, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin

Germany: quarter-finals, Leonie Maier

Scotland: group stages, Kim Little, Jennifer Beattie, Lisa Evans

Let’s hope they all get a good rest before the 2019/20 season starts with the Champions League now back at Boreham Wood!