LYON, France (AP) — Megan Rapinoe has opened the scoring for the United States in the 61st minute with a penalty against the Netherlands in the Women's World Cup final.
Referee Stephanie Frappart awarded the penalty following a video review showed that defender Stefanie van der Gragt made a high challenge on striker Alex Morgan.
Rapinoe confidently struck the spot-kick down the middle and past a static Sari van Veenendaal, who seemed to anticipate Rapinoe would shoot to the side and was wrong-footed.
NERVES OF STEEL ------Megan Rapinoe scores her 50th international goal from the penalty spot and gives USA the lead in the #FIFAWWC final! pic.twitter.com/gjPpYOrcyl
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2019It was Rapinoe's sixth goal, tying her with Morgan and England's Ellen White at the top of the scoring charts.
Less than 10 minutes later, Rose Lavelle added a second goal for the U.S.
ROSE KNOWS.Lavelle's goal puts #USWNT up 2-0.pic.twitter.com/UUaHd5xxjP
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) July 7, 2019U.S. defender Kelley O'Hara was replaced for the second half by Ali Krieger.
O'Hara needed on-field treatment near the end of the first half after colliding head to head with Dutch winger Lieke Martens as they jumped up to contest a high ball.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
