Women's World Cup: United States' Carli Lloyd wins Golden Ball award
She was the leading contender heading into the final, but there was still some lingering doubt about her worthiness for the honour. Upon the final whistle on Sunday, that doubt had been obliterated.
After scoring a hat trick in the United States' 5-2 win over Japan in the Women's World Cup final, midfielder Carli Lloyd was presented with the Golden Ball award, presented to the competition's best player.
.@CarliLloyd 6 goals, 1 assist and one amazing World Cup. Your Golden Ball Winner for best player at the @FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/14b8MLuNbu
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) July 6, 2015
Lloyd's hat trick, which was the first in any Women's World Cup final, brought her goal tally up to six goals - she scored in each of the United States' four knockout matches. She also finished the tournament with one assist, and was the undisputed star of the competition's best team.
Carli Lloyd is the 2nd #USA player to win the Golden Ball, joining Carin Jennings in 1991. pic.twitter.com/ahFi1dXZxj
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 6, 2015
She was, simply, the best player at the 2015 Women's World Cup.