The defending champions struggled to gain dominance for an hour before a Rapinoe penalty, her sixth goal of the tournament, broke the deadlock and a fine individual effort from Lavelle in the 69th minute put the outcome beyond doubt.
The Dutch, who are the European champions, ran out of steam after Rapinoe opened the scoring in the 61st minute, having done more than any team to frustrate the Americans.
A perfect occasion for Rapinoe, whose outspoken views have been most prominent on the pay disparity between men and women players, was capped when FIFA chief Gianni Infantino was booed amid chants of “equal pay, equal pay” by US fans.
At 34, Rapinoe is unlikely to be back on this stage in four years’ time, but it is hard to imagine her walking away from the battles she has led with the US Soccer Federation and world governing body FIFA over fairer terms for the women’s game.
However, amidst the firework celebrations after the final whistle, Rapinoe’s thoughts were on her team’s triumph – their second in a row after the 2015 victory in Canada.
“It’s like history. I don’t know how to feel right now. It is ridiculous,” said Rapinoe.
“We’re crazy that’s what makes us special. We just have no quit in us. We are so tight. We will do anything to win.”
Rapinoe’s earlier comments, regarding a rejection of any eventual invite to the White House, brought her into the centre of political debate but the side’s win was greeted positively by President Donald Trump.
“Congratulations to the US Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!” tweeted Trump.
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said the team would receive a “ticker tape parade” down the ‘Canyon of Heroes” in Manhattan on Wednesday.
Rapinoe returns
The purple-haired Rapinoe was back in the starting lineup after sitting out the 2-1 semi-final win over England with a slight muscle strain.
Her place in the side came at the expense of Christen Press while Netherlands left-winger Lieke Martens was fit to play after overcoming a toe injury.
The Dutch made an aggressive start, with some strong challenges, and midfielder Sherida Spitse picked up a booking in the 10th minute for a lunging challenge on Lavelle.
The US, who had scored in the opening 12 minutes of every previous game at this tournament, were struggling to settle as their opponents harried and closed them down quickly.
The Netherlands looked to hit the Americans on the counter-attack and that approach almost bore fruit in the 26th minute when Vivianne Miedema released Lineth Beerensteyn through the middle but US keeper Alyssa Naeher was alert.
However, as the half wore on, the US gradually gained the upper hand and Dutch keeper Sari van Veenendaal did well to parry a fierce first-time drive-by Julie Ertz in the 28th.
Then Alex Morgan turned a low cross from Rapinoe goalwards and Van Veenendaal tipped the ball against the post before safely gathering it.
The pressure was mounting as Morgan brought the Dutch keeper into action again with a fine shot on the turn in the 40th.
US defender Kelley O’Hara had to be substituted at halftime, following a clash of heads with Martens, and Ali Krieger came on at right-back.
VAR penalty
Encouraged by their first-half resilience, the Dutch stuck with the same tenacious approach after the break but their aggression proved to be their downfall.
Stefanie van der Gragt’s foot caught Morgan’s upper arm after a high challenge in the box and the American fell to the ground. After initially awarding a corner, the French referee turned to the video review and then gave a penalty.
Rapinoe took the responsibility and coolly slotted the ball past the almost stationary Van Veenendaal to bring to life the large American contingent in the capacity crowd of 57,900.
Suddenly the US were more relaxed and the Dutch appeared to lose not only their cohesion but also their energy.
Perhaps sensing that dip, Lavelle took the game directly to the Dutch – bursting out of midfield towards the heart of the defence and dropping her shoulder to the left before unleashing a sweet shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
The Americans were suddenly swarming all over the Dutch, Tobin Heath, Morgan and Crystal Dunn all threatened to add a third goal.
If the Dutch were going to get back into the game a set-piece looked the most likely route and Spitse went close with a free-kick in the 80th minute that flashed just wide.
But that was their last attempt at making a comeback that, in truth, never looked likely.
The Americans had outlasted the Dutch and a fourth World Cup crown was theirs to celebrate with their adoring fans.
Reactions
Following are reactions to the United States’s victory:
Megan Rapinoe, US captain and goalscorer in the final:
“It’s unbelievable. Just to know all of the people in our group that put in so much work, obviously the players. We have all our friends and family here.”
US President Donald Trump, who had criticised Rapinoe for spurning a potential White House visit, tweeted:
“Congratulations to the US Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!”
Jill Ellis, US coach:
“This is an amazing group of players but even better group of people. Just fantastic resiliency, just chemistry. They put their heart and soul into this journey and I cannot thank them enough. It’s been fantastic.
“I just said to them they were unbelievable. Congratulations. They made history. Enjoy it. This is unbelievable.”
Alex Morgan, US striker:
“This team is something special, and to do it back-to-back is pretty incredible. We had a hard route to the final. I’m just proud of this team. We felt confident. We felt like it was going to take us a bit to gain momentum throughout the tournament. Jill (Ellis) did a great job in terms of managing the team, so credit to her and the team for playing our roles to a ‘T’.”
Billie Jean King: tennis great and women’s equality campaigner tweeted:
“Congratulations to the #USWNT on their 4th World Cup win! These athletes have brought more attention, support and pride to women’s sport than perhaps any other team in history. It is long past time to pay them what they rightly deserve.”
Serena Williams, a 23-times Grand Slam singles title holder, retweeted King, adding her own commentary:
“Congrats team USA! Billie says it best here! So happy for each one of you and so proud. @USWNT”
Alex Scott, BBC analyst and former England international:
“The USA do not apologise for wanting to be the best and they have that winning mentality that everyone else needs to get. They show up on the biggest occasions.”
Former US President Barack Obama tweeted:
“Yes! Fourth star. Back to back. Congrats to the record breakers on the @USWNT, an incredible team that’s always pushing themselves—and the rest of us—to be even better. Love this team. #OneNationOneTeam”
Former US President Bill Clinton tweeted:
“A big congrats to the World Champions! So very proud of the @USWNT!”
Former US Vice President and current presidential candidate Joe Biden tweeted:
“Congratulations to the @USWNT on back-to-back Women’s World Cup titles! You never fail to make our country proud — on and off the field. #OneNationOneTeam”
Zach Ertz, husband to midfielder Julie Ertz and an NFL Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, tweeted:
“WORLD FREAKING CHAMPS!!!!! SO PROUD OF YOU @julieertz!!!”
Fifteen-times golf major winner Tiger Woods tweeted:
“Congratulations to the @USWNT on winning the Women’s World Cup. The Woods family didn’t miss a minute. A championship effort today and amazing play all Tournament. So happy for all of you.”