United States vs. Japan: Key Takeaways from Women's World Cup Final 2015

The United States clinched a historic third Women's World Cup title on Sunday after trouncing Japan 5-2 in Vancouver thanks to a Carli Lloyd hat-trick.

Jill Ellis' side found themselves in dreamland after netting four times in the opening 16 minutes without reply, claiming revenge for the penalty-shootout defeat to Japan that saw them lose the 2011 Women's World Cup.

The two teams both entered BC Place with unbeaten records in Canada, with the USA having conceded just a single goal in their first six games of the tournament leading up to the final.

A memorable climax gave fans a long list of talking points worthy of discussion, with the chief of those takeaways assessed in further detail ahead.

Jill Ellis Comes Good to Prove Her Credentials

It's every coach's dream to manage a team to World Cup glory in their career, and barely a year after assuming the helm of the U.S. women's national soccer team, Ellis is already basking in the ultimate prize women's football can offer.

Her 14-month reign hasn't come without its criticism, though, as Ellis strived to live up to the standards of previous managers. BT Sport's Ian Darke agreed her side got things right when it mattered most, however, which is all that truly counts:

As previously mentioned, the stinginess shown by the United States throughout their tournament was sublime, and a record of just three goals conceded in seven matches points to how the Americans won the trophy.

But the major concern was that Ellis' side were too light up front and short on superstar striking talent. NBC's Jeff Kassouf quoted the coach hinting at some doubt they could muster as many as five goals against Japan:

In the end, though, Ellis proved that a strike force alone doesn't win a team trophies, with midfielders Lauren Holiday, Tobin Heath and Megan Rapinoe standing out as particular heroes of the final.

Still so young in her USA tenure, Ellis has a long fight on her hands before all those doubters are won over, but at least the boss can now rest easy knowing her hand is steering the team in the right direction.

Carli Lloyd's Name Cemented in USA Folklore

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Already 32 years of age, Lloyd may not come upon too many more opportunities to make her impact on the World Cup stage, so it was just as well that 2015 proved to be her year.

Having finished joint top scorer with Germany's Celia Sasic on six goals, the Stars and Stripes attacker was awarded the tournament's Golden Ball, as confirmed by Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated:

Lloyd rescued more than one game for the United States, however, converting penalties in wins over Colombia and Germany, not to mention scoring the sole effort in their 1-0 victory over China PR.

It's not as though she was a minnow in the American eye prior to the 2015 World Cup, but this was that special moment Lloyd was seeking to establish her great memory, one that even President Barack Obama recognised:

Unlike record goalscorer Abby Wambach or the evergreen Christie Rampone, Lloyd's figures alone may not be enough to see her live forever in the history books. Her 202 caps see her ninth in the all-time appearances list, and her 69 goals are some way off the 183 recorded by Wambach.

However, time and again, Lloyd was the icon the United States needed at this year's competition, and a superstar display against Japan on Sunday may well go down as one of the team's greatest moments ever.