US beats Netherlands to win their fourth women's World Cup

LYON, France (Reuters) - The United States beat the Netherlands 2-0 to win the women’s World Cup for a record-extending fourth time on Sunday. Captain Megan Rapinoe converted a VAR-awarded penalty in the 61st minute and Rose Lavelle wrapped up the victory eight minutes later as the US added to their 1991, 1999 and 2015 titles. The team will be welcomed home with a ticker tape parade down New York City's "Canyon of Heroes" on Wednesday morning, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced. First lady Melania Trump tweeted a congratulatory message to the team. She made no mention of a possible White House visit for the team, which star player Megan Rapinoe previously vowed to boycott. Throughout this World Cup, the top-ranked US women had a lead going into halftime of every match they played. They had never been held scoreless in the first half. In the finals against the Netherlands, it took an hour of game time before Rapinoe broke the scoreless tie for the US on a penalty kick. "It's surreal. I don't know how to feel like now. It's ridiculous," Rapinoe said after the victory. "We're crazy and that's what makes us so special. We just have no quit in us. We're so tight, and we'll do anything to win." Rapinoe was awarded the Golden Ball as the top player in the tournament. Goal No. 2 in the finals was scored by Rose Lavelle, at 24 the team's up-and-coming star, after a solo run up the center of the field. "She's superstar, not even in the making, she's straight up superstar at this point," Rapinoe said. This is only the second time the 8th-ranked Netherlands team has appeared in the Women's World Cup. In 2015, they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Japan -- which was, in turn, beaten by the US in the 2015 final.