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Japan's Aya Miyama, center, is celebrated by teammates after she scored her side's first goal during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women"™s Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, July 17, 2011. Michael Probst, Associated Press
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Japan's Aya Miyama scores her side's first goal as United States' Alex Krieger looks on during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women"™s Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, July 17, 2011. Michael Probst, Associated Press
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United States' Abby Wambach, second right, scores her side's second goal past Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori, third left, during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women"™s Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, July 17, 2 Frank Augstein, Associated Press
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Japan's Aya Miyama, left, celebrates with players on the bench scoring her side's first goal during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women"™s Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, July 17, 2011. Frank Augstein, Associated Press
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Japan's Shinobu Ohno, back, and United States' Megan Rapinoe, right compete for the ball during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women"™s Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, July 17, 2011. Frank Augstein, Associated Press
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United States goalkeeper Hope Solo, back, fails to save a shot by Japan's Aya Miyama , bottom center, during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women"™s Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, July 17, 2011. Martin Meissner, Associated Press
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Japan's Aya Miyama , center on the pitch, scores her side's first goal past United States goalkeeper Hope Solo, left, during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women"™s Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, July 17, 2011. Frank Augstein, Associated Press

By Associated Press

FRANKFURT, Germany — The Women's World Cup came to a bastion of the men's game — and, for three weeks, the whole of Germany responded. One of the most knowledgeable crowds in the world lapped it up, game after game with full stadiums and soaring television ratings.

Then came Sunday's final to bring the party to a fitting and emotional climax.

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Japan became the first Asian nation to win the title, coming from behind twice with quick, nimble passing moves to force a 2-2 draw after extra time and then triumphing in a penalty shootout.

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