"It's unbelievable. Just to know all of the people in our group that put in so much work, obviously the players – we have all our friends and family here – it's surreal.

"I don't know how to feel right now. It's ridiculous."

Rapinoe reserved special praise for rising star Lavelle, whose strike effectively killed off the contest.

She said: "That was what she's been missing, just that little bit. All tournament, she's been on the dribble, so dangerous for us. She's opened up everything for us.

"For her to get that reward tonight on the biggest stage that you possibly can, I'm so proud of her. She's a superstar not even in the making, she's a straight-up superstar at this point."

USA coach Jill Ellis was emotional as she assessed what she had just witnessed.

Ellis said: "This is just an amazing group of players, but an even better group of people, just fantastic resilience, just chemistry.

"They've put their hearts and souls into this journey and I can't thank them enough. It's been fantastic."

Asked what she had said to her players in a huddle on the pitch shortly after the final whistle, she added: "I could barely speak, but I just said to them they were unbelievable, congratulations, they made history, enjoy it.

"It's unbelievable. I've got no words, I'm sorry."

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