The Final Games

Wow.

Women's Final

First, we had the Women's Final, with Germany taking on Chile. Germany looked like the stronger team at the beginning and throughout the first half, taking a 2-0 lead. In the second half, Chile woke up and answered back with 2 quick goals of their own. The momentum seemed to have shifted to Chile's side, with a disheartened Germany now just trying to keep Chile from scoring. But as the game went on, Germany would still get the odd opportunity, putting in their 3rd goal. Chile was really on the attack now, desperate to get a goal in order to even it up. Germany managed to hold them off, with the help of the post and good defending, winning the Women's WCP Cup 3-2.

Men's Final

The main event, the Men's Final, featured ROI and El Salvador. Much like the final in previous years, it was a classic. ROI came into the game on a hot streak, having turned around after a poor group showing. El Salvador was the new team, knocking off some of the top teams in the tournament, and fighting their way to the final. The game kicked off to an already-pumped crowd(from the Women's Final). The game started off quickly, with wonderful opportunities on both sides. Surprisingly, El Salvador seemed to be controlling the game. ROI seemed content to let them dribble around at a distance, and El Salvador certainly tried to make them regret it by shooting from those distances. However, it was ROI who struck first. El Salvador had more opportunities than ROI, but ROI's opportunities were much more dangerous. They got their second goal to make it 2-0 Ireland going into the half.

The second half came with Ireland hoping to put the game out of reach. 3-0 would certainly spell the end for El Salvador. ROI had their chances, but El Salvador managed to score first. El Salvador was back in the game now, and it seemed that the powerful Ireland could be beaten. The game's momentum was shifting in El Salvador's direction, and sure enough, they scored again to make it 2-2. Ireland, as they've done many times in this tournament, stepped up the intensity hard. They realized they were on the verge of collapsing, and they couldn't let it happen. El Salvador also realized they were on the verge of knocking off the defending champions. Neither team could get the momentum on their side, as regular time ran out with the score tied 2-2.

The first overtime was crazy, with both teams getting their chances to put it away. Neither could, and it went on to a second overtime. It wasn't long into the second overtime when Ireland scored on long range free kick that just slipped inside the corner of the net, giving ROI the win. The final score of 3-2 capped off a fantastic tournament with a fantastic game, and even though the final goal was a bit of a letdown, the game itself definitely made up for it. A great game, very well played by both teams. Congratulations to ROI.