Take that! Donald Trump gets a fitting reply as US Women win Football World Cup despite his repeated attacks, LGBTQ icon Megan Rapinoe scores in final

A penalty by Megan Rapinoe and a strike by Rose Lavelle led the US women to a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the Women's World Cup final in Lyon, their second consecutive win in the tournament and a record-setting fourth overall, on July 7.

Like most teams would have, the US women also basked in the glory and adulation received from admirers worldwide, but they also regarded winning the biggest prize in Women's football as the perfect platform to drive their fight for equality forward. 

Following their big win against the Netherlands, the players almost instantly issued a statement which brought their battle for equal pay with the US Soccer Federation to the limelight once again.

House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi alluded to their grievance as she wrote on Twitter

READ:'You Can't Win A Championship Without Gays On Your Team,' says LGBTQ Icon Megan Rapinoe After Steering USA To World Cup Semis

The win also serves as a fitting reply to US President Donald Trump who had launched an extended attack on US women’s football team player Megan Rapinoe who is openly gay, prior to the World Cup quarter-final. 

Star player Megan Rapinoe had publicly feuded with Donald Trump, saying she'd stay home if the team is invited to the White House. She urged her teammates to do the same to protest the President's policies and character. The president responded by criticising the co-captain in a series of tweets early Wednesday, saying “Megan should win first before she talks! Finish the job!”

Megan​​​​​​ Rapinoe, widely considered an LGBTQ icon, made headlines when she said the Donald Trump government does not fight for the same things that she fights for. The 33-year-old forward had previously attacked Trump calling him sexist and misogynistic and described herself as a walking protest.

"Go, gays! You can't win a championship without gays on your team, it's pretty much never been done before ever. Science, right there," Rapinoe said in an interview with a news publication.

 "I'm motivated by people like me and people who are fighting for the same things. I take more energy from that than trying to prove everyone wrong all the time. That's sort of draining to me. So yeah, to be gay and fabulous during pride month at the World Cup is nice," she added.

Rapinoe is one of 28 players filing a lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation for gender discrimination as part of a claim that female players have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts.

Earlier this week Mr Trump said he thought male players earning more “has to do with the economics,” but also claimed to be a fan of the Women’s World Cup team. “I love watching women’s soccer. They’re really talented.”

READ: Women's World Cup: USA Make History With Record 4th Title As They Beat Netherlands 2-0