VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The most successful Women’s World Cup ends Sunday when the United States and Japan take the field at BC Place.

Record attendance. Record TV ratings. A rematch of a classic final from 2011 and the 2012 Olympic gold-medal match.

With the final also comes the end of a tournament where the inequality of how FIFA treats the women’s game was on display: Artificial turf fields; competing teams staying in the same hotels; a prize money pool that’s a mere fraction of what their male counterparts had in Brazil a year ago.

The issues will remain until FIFA gets its next opportunity, in four years, to show how much it values the Women’s World Cup.

“I’ve referred to FIFA as the stadium that houses this event; the game is the centerpiece, not the institution,” United States Coach Jill Ellis said. “I think people can’t help, FIFA included, but to notice how popular this sport is. And to make sure, it’s like anything, there’s always an evolution. There’s always a process to go through before equal footing is gained.”

FIFA trumpeted the success of the tournament Friday. It has set attendance records with more than 1 million fans, shattered TV viewing records beyond just the American market and staged a successful expansion from 16 to 24 teams.

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Yet for all the positives, equality problems were significant.

The use of artificial turf on all fields was at the head of the list. A group of players led by American Abby Wambach filed a claim in a Canadian court that said holding matches on artificial turf amounts to gender discrimination because the men’s World Cup would never be played on fake grass. The players dropped the claim earlier this year.

But the turf wasn’t the only issue. The prize money is $15 million while the men’s purse was more than $500 million a year ago in Brazil. While much of that is due to sponsorship dollars, there’s a feeling that gap should be smaller.

“I don’t think $500 million would necessarily be a number we’re looking for in terms of the number of sponsors and world views and the amount of money the men’s World Cup generates but something more than ($15 million) would probably be appropriate,” American Megan Rapinoe said. “I think we’re getting there. Sometimes we have to drag our way, but every time we have a World Cup it’s a big event, people pay attention and it’s bigger the next time.”

FIFA also has been criticized for housing opponents in the same hotels, something that doesn’t happen to the men. It was awkward from the start: Ellis said the U.S. had dinner in the room next to Australia before the teams met in the opener.

Germany Coach Silvia Neid said it was difficult after a win to return to the hotel and take the elevator with some players the team had just beaten.

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“I believe this doesn’t meet the level of professionalism you should expect at a World Cup,” Neid said.

ENGLAND 1, GERMANY 0: Fara Williams scored on a penalty kick in the 108th minute at Edmonton, Alberta, helping England clinch third place.

It was England’s first win in 21 meetings against Germany, and secured the team’s best finish in its four World Cup appearances. The victory over the top-ranked Germans came after a gut-wrenching 2-1 semifinal loss to Japan that was decided on an own goal Wednesday.

Williams’ goal was set up by a pass into the penalty area intended for Lianne Sanderson. As Sanderson turned to go after the ball, she was pulled down by Tabea Kemme.

On the penalty kick, Williams punched the ball inside the left post while goalkeeper Nadine Angerer faded the other way.


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