VIDEO: Penalty Shootouts - - Women's World Cup: Japan Beat USA to Become the First Champion From Asia

FRANKFURT, Germany - The most spectacular Women’s World Cup final in history has produced the most surprising champion at the end.

Women's World Cup: Japan Beat USA to Become the First Champion From Asia

Japan became the first Asian nation to win the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, beating the United States in a penalty shootout after both sides were level at 2-2 after extra time.

 

The Japanese denied the U.S. team the chance to become the first country to lift the cup three times.

The Americans missed their first three penalties, and Japan went on to win the shootout 3-1 when Saki Kumagai slotted the final shot high past goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Japan was always driven by a greater purpose, hoping its success at the World Cup could provide some emotional relief for a nation still reeling from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

It paid off.

The team displayed a banner reading “To our Friends Around the World — Thank You for Your Support” before the final, and coach Norio Sasaki inspired his players before the quarterfinal win over favorite Germany by showing them pictures of the devastation.

On Sunday, the players were even more pumped us as the match approached its climax.

In a thrilling finale, 32-year-old Japan captain Homare Sawa flicked a corner through a jumble of players and past Solo with three minutes of extra time left to equalize and set up the shootout.

“We ran and ran.We were exhausted but we kept running,” said Sawa, the top scorer in the tournament with five goals.

Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time, and the shootout success gave Japan its first victory over the United States in 26 games.

Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori did more than her part, saving the first penalty from Shannon Boxx with her foot and swatting the third kick from substitute Tobin Heath away with her gloves. In between, Carli Lloyd skied her shot over the bar.