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, 2019 It 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, 2019 U.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.
