Japan twice came from behind to win the women’s World Cup for

Japan twice came from behind to win the women’s World Cup for the first time today, beating the United States 3-1 on a penalty shoot-out after the final had finished 2-2 in extra-time.

Japan captain Homare Sawa, who won the tournament’s golden boot, kept her side in the game with a header in the 117th minute after US striker Abby Wambach’s had put her side ahead early in extra-time after the two sides were locked at 1-1 over 90 minutes.

The Japanese had defender Azusa Iwashimizu sent off in the 121st minute for a foul on US striker Alex Morgan.

In the dramatic shoot-out, Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori saved two penalties before defender Saki Kumagai hit the winning spot-kick.

The US had taken the lead in the second-half of normal time thanks to striker Alex Morgan’s sublime strike, but Japan’s Aya Miyama poached the equaliser after a mix-up in the American defense in the 81st minute.

This was Japan’s first win over the Americans at the 26th time of trying and was heartbreak for the Stars and Stripes as they missed out on a third World Cup title despite dominating Japan for large periods of the game.