England have suffered heartbreak at the semi-final stage of a World Cup for the second time in two years. Steph Houghton missed a late penalty after Ellen White had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside.<\/p>\n
Twelve months after their male equivalents also exited a World Cup at the semi-final stage, Phil Neville’s Lionesses have been dumped from the competition at the same hurdle.<\/p>\n
In what was an end-to-end affair, Christen Press gave the Americans an 11th-minute lead as she headed home to open the scoring.<\/p>\n
Ellen White levelled the score with an instinctive finish as she netted her sixth goal of the competition; however, Alex Morgan headed a second for the USA just before half-time.<\/p>\n
Although, clearly motivated by Neville’s words at half-time, White thought she had levelled for a second time with a low strike. The Lionesses’ celebrations were cut short, however, as VAR found White to be marginally offside.<\/p>\n
White was then fouled in the penalty area with six minutes left leading to VAR awarding England a late spot-kick. However, Captain Steph Houghton was unable to beat Alyssa Naeher from twelve yards though; England’s dreams of reaching their first Women’s World Cup final were shattered.<\/p>\n
England manager Phil Neville was full of praise for Steph Houghton and the Lionesses after their semi-final exit.<\/p>\n