Japan stuns U.S. in World Cup final

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Japan won the Women's World Cup, stunning the United States 3-1 in a penalty shootout last night after coming from behind twice in a 2-2 tie.

Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all failed to convert for the Americans, who squandered dozens of chances throughout the game and blew a lead just minutes from winning their third World Cup title.

"This is obviously going to hurt for a while," said Abby Wambach, whose only hole in her glittering career is the World Cup title.

Japan had not beaten the Americans in their first 25 meetings, including a pair of 2-0 losses in warm-up games a month before the World Cup. But the Nadeshiko played inspired throughout the tournament, hoping their success could provide an emotional lift to their nation, still reeling from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

"Not one of the players gave up," coach Norio Sasaki said. "The penalty kicks are always a 50-50 percent chance."

It's been 12 years since the United States has won the World Cup, and this team was certain they were the ones to break the drought.

After a scoreless first half, Team USA broke through with a superb play. Megan Rapinoe sent a perfectly weighted 40-yard pass from her own end to Alex Morgan streaking on a diagonal through midfield. Morgan beat her defender and slotted a left-footed shot to the far post in the 69th minute.

Japan got back in the game when Rachel Buehler's desperate clearing pass in the box went off the legs of Ali Kreiger right to the feet of Aya Miyama, who beat U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo in the 81st minute.

The game went to the 30- minute overtime and Wambach did what she has done so often, headed the ball into the net in the 104th minute. But Japan kept attacking and in the 117th minute, Homare Sawa redirected a corner kick past Solo.

After easy wins in their first two games in Germany, the Americans lost to Sweden -- their first loss in World Cup group play.

But they rallied with one of the most riveting finishes ever in a World Cup game against Brazil in the quarterfinals. Down a player for almost an hour and on the verge of making their earliest exit from a major tournament, Wambach's magnificent, leaping header in the 122nd minute tied the game.

The Americans beat Brazil on penalty kicks and, just like that, a nation was hooked. Even President Barack Obama was a fan, taking to Twitter himself Sunday to wish the team well.

"Sorry I can't be there to see you play, but I'll be cheering you on from here. Let's go. -- BO." The White House later released a photo of Obama and his family watching the game.

But the Americans lost this game as much as Japan won it.

"Evidently, it wasn't meant to be," Wambach said.

The Americans got one last chance when Morgan was floored by Azusa Iwashimizu just outside the area in the 121st minute. Lloyd, Boxx and Heather O'Reilly huddled behind the ball before O'Reilly tipped it to Lloyd. But Lloyd's shot was well wide, and Heath couldn't make anything happen with the rebound.

The United States had beaten Brazil on penalty kicks in a quarterfinal that was one of the most riveting games in the World Cup, men's or women's. But the Americans didn't have the same touch Sunday.

"You don't; you can't," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said when asked to explain it. "Sometimes in, sometimes out."

Boxx went first, and Japan goaltender Ayumi Kaihori saved it with her right leg. After Miyama made hers, wrong-footing Solo, Lloyd stepped up and sent her shot soaring over the crossbar. As the crowd gasped, Lloyd covered her mouth in dismay. Solo saved Japan's next shot, but Kaihori made an impressive two-handed save on Heath's shot.

Solo came up with a save, and Wambach buried hers. But Japan need to make just one more, and Kumagai did.