Japan beats U.S. in shootout for World Cup

Japan's Mizuho Sakaguchi, center, competes for the ball with United States' Megan Rapinoe, left, and United States' Carli Lloyd during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women?s Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, July 17, 2011. / AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Last Updated 5:48 p.m. ET

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

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

"It's obviously heartbreaking," Wambach said. "Japan played well. They never gave up."

Japan became the first Asian nation to win the World Cup, doing it with its first win against the U.S. in 26 tries.

The Americans had taken the lead in the 104th minute off a header by Abby Wambach. Alex Morgan, who scored the first American goal, came up with a blocked cross and sent it to Wambach, who was camped in front of the goal on the 6-yard line. Standing a head taller — and then some — from defenders on either side of her, she needed only to nod the ball into the net.

But Sawa flicked in a corner kick in the 117th minute — earned after 36-year-old captain Christie Rampone raced to clear Yukari Kinga's chip over Hope Solo off the line.

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2011 U.S. Women's Soccer

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 her shot banged off Ayumi Kaihori's right leg. After Aya 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.

[ohhhhmo]

I regard it as having won in a feeling, although possibly Japan had lost technically to the United States.I think that it appears in the place which finally caught up with the tie even if Japan has an opening the scoring point taken.

[get_down]

Perseverance is the lesson learned. It's obvious that the team from Japan just hang-in there every time the US team scored First and then they caught up with a tie. The US team kept on their attack and attack and the Japan team just hang-in there - never gave up. What a true winning formula - Perseverance combined with Energy is necessary to success in life. Well, look at it from the bright side that the Japan team's coach won't be ordered to perform a "Harakiri" (or Seppuku) after the team went back to Japan and the US team will come back with stronger motivation to win the next World Cup.

[ohhhhmo]

I think so too! The team of Japan set the heart to one, and fought it.Although it might be fate, having won was equal also to painful deployment, and it looked at and attacked timing.

[wheear]

Hurry back NFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AOCGUY]

The goalie for Japan was an absolute stud. That blocked kick was awesome.

[danielgauss]

God bless the Japanese women!!!! I am so proud of them. I watched the game in a Queens sports bar and thought I was going to get killed because I am an American who was rooting for these Japanese ladies. Good job!!!!! You are an inspiration to the world!!!!!

[Shibbol]

Great game. I am so very happy for the Japanese. It couldn't have come at a better time for a more deserving country. I hope all my fellow Americans will appreciate that this was a great game for the US to lose.

[realtimecoffee]

The rest of the world rejoices!

[bradkt1]

The U.S. players played hard and tried their best, but I thought that the U.S. coaches lost it. Japan came back TWICE when the U.S. team stopped being aggressive and tried to run out the clock and played prevent defense. The U.S. was getting plenty of scoring opportunities when they attacked.

It doesn't matter what sport you play. Stall ball and the prevent defense will lose it for you every time.

[ohhhhmo]

I thought that the heart which is not given up because of this game was important.They are also not only a player but a coach, and the staff. It is indispensable for it to win that all the member's feeling is fit for the victory.