(Image source: FIFA)

BY: TRACY PFEIFFER

ANCHOR: ALLIE SPILLYARDS

Team USA headed into the Women’s World Cup finals with dreams of becoming the first squad to ever win three times --

-- but in penalty kicks, a spirited and relentless Japanese team came up with the win. (Video: ESPN/NBC Sports)

It was zero-zero heading into halftime. Here’s the wrapup from USA Today, with input from a former coach and a former player.

“Analysts Tony Dicicco [and] Brandy Chastain say this is the best the USA has played but Japan has to be giddy to be 0-0 at halftime. The USA has wasted almost a half-dozen chances including hitting the top bar. If its possible, USA is outplaying Japan but lost the first half after their 12-5 shot advantage led to a halftime tie.”

By the 52nd minute ESPN reported USA had three times as many shots on goal as Japan.

A long ball from unexpected tournament star Megan Rapinoe to sub Alex Morgan put the USA up first.

But Japan answered with just ten minutes left in regulation, sending the game into extended play.

And in the 103rd minute--

-- veteran US player Abby Wambach sent a header into the goal. (Video: ESPN/NBC Sports)

The final equalizer, a cross, came just after an apparent injury to USA goalkeeper Hope Solo. That sent the game into penalty kicks -- and the rest is history.

Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl says -- don’t be afraid to put this loss on the American defense.

“Give Japan plenty of credit ... but the American defenders should have done better. Right back Ali Krieger helped gift Aya Miyama Japan's first goal in the 81st minute after a scramble in the U.S. penalty box, and the U.S. allowed Sawa, one of the shortest players on the field, to get her foot on the ball off a corner kick for Japan's late equalizer.”

In an opinion piece written before the game, one Denver Post writer says -- a USA loss can’t overshadow their excellent run in this year’s tournament.

“Against the backdrop of two lockouts (NFL and NBA) and Major League Baseball’s All-Star break, the female footballers easily stole the sports show this week. But they also provided a comeback story for the ages and inspiration for female athletes - and no doubt many boys too.”

Finally, a blogger for the LA Times says -- it’s a storybook ending for Japan.

“It was a deserved victory for the Japanese team, which never gave up [and] never quit trying... The result was even more meaningful because the Japanese team has ridden a wave of emotion brought about by the devastating March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident in northern Japan that left tens of thousands dead or missing." 

Transcript by Newsy.