A look back at England Women’s semi-final suffering

England Women suffered further semi-final heartbreak with a 2-1 defeat to the United States at the Women’s World Cup.

Here, PA takes a look back at how the Lionesses were one step away from reaching the final of a major tournament.

2015 World Cup semi-final: Japan 2 England 1

Under coach Mark Sampson, England took on reigning world champions Japan in Edmonton, having knocked out hosts Canada in the quarter-finals.

First-half penalties from Japan captain Aya Miyama and then England midfielder Fara Williams appeared to have left the tie heading for extra time at the Commonwealth Stadium.

However, in stoppage time, defender Laura Bassett deflected Nahomi Kawasumi’s cross into the England net as the most unfortunate of own goals ended hopes of reaching a first World Cup final.

Euro 2017 semi-final: Holland 3 England 0

Sampson’s side had continued their progress from the World Cup as they headed into Euro 2017, and would win their group ahead of Spain having opened their campaign with a 6-0 trashing of Scotland in Utrecht.

After beating France 1-0 in the quarter-final, the Lionesses headed to Enschede to tackle hosts Holland.

However, with first-choice goalkeeper Karen Bardsley injured and experienced midfielder Jill Scott suspended, England were never really in the game, which proved a one-sided affair in front of a sell-out crowd at FC Twente’s 30,000-capacity home.

Goals either side of half-time from Arsenal pair Vivianne Miedema and Danielle Van De Donk secured victory for the vibrant Dutch, who went on to lift the trophy, before a last-gasp own goal from Millie Bright compounded England’s misery.

2019 World Cup semi-final: United States 2 England 1

Under new head coach Phil Neville, England had continued to challenge the best – and won the invitational SheBelieves Cup held in America shortly before the start of the 2019 World Cup.

England started Group D with a somewhat laboured 2-1 victory over Scotland, but grew in confidence to qualify for the knockout stage on the back of wins over Argentina and Japan.

A 3-0 victory in testing circumstances against Cameroon, which saw their opponents protest and threaten not to play on following some video assistant referee reviews, England regrouped to comfortably see off Norway, again 3-0, and progress to the semi-finals.

The USA, however, proved a much sterner test as Christen Press headed the holders into a deserved lead in the 10th minute before Ellen White’s sixth goal of the tournament pulled England level.

A glancing header from Alex Morgan – followed by a tea-drinking celebration – put the USA back in front before half-time, which had looked to be enough for a hard-earned win.

The Lionesses, though, produced a late fightback.

White saw a goal ruled out for the narrowest of offside calls by VAR and then captain Steph Houghton had an 84th-minute penalty saved, which was awarded following a lengthy review by the referee on the pitch-side monitor.

Chelsea defender Bright was also sent off for a second caution before the full-time whistle, with all the late drama leaving Neville’s players crestfallen – along with the 11.7million who had tuned in to watch back home.