England Lionesses v United States – the Women’s World Cup semi-final in jaw-dropping pictures
England suffered further semi-final heartbreak as the Lionesses fell to a 2-1 loss to defending Women’s World Cup champions the United States.
Less than 12 months after the men’s senior side fell at the last-four stage to Croatia by the same scoreline in Russia, Phil Neville’s team could not go one better as the Lionesses tasted defeat in a semi-final for a third successive major tournament.
Here, PA takes look at some of the best images from a disappointing night in Lyon.
Both teams line up on the pitch ahead of the semi-final clash (Richard Sellers/PA)England’s Jill Scott challenges Alex Morgan (Richard Sellers/PA)
Christen Press opened the scoring with a 10th-minute header (Richard Sellers/PA)Press celebrates putting the United States in front (John Walton/PA)
Ellen White equalised for England in the 19th minute (John Walton/PA)
White, left, celebrates England’s leveller (John Walton/PA)Morgan, in red on the left, heads the USA back in front in the 31st minute (John Walton/PA)Morgan celebrated her sixth World Cup goal by pretending to drink a cup of tea (Richard Sellers/PA)
England players react to the USA’s second goal (John Walton/PA)England head coach Phil Neville during the World Cup semi-final (Richard Sellers/PA)Scott, left, and Lindsey Horan come together in midfield (Richard Sellers/PA)White thought she levelled for England once again with this effort (John Walton/PA)White celebrates what she thought was a second goal for England (Richard Sellers/PA)The VAR screen shows that White’s second goal of the game is disallowed (Richard Sellers/PA)White appeals against the decision to referee Edina Alves (Richard Sellers/PA)White was fouled by Becky Sauerbrun as England were awarded a penalty after a VAR decision (Richard Sellers/PA)England captain Steph Houghton waiting to taking the penalty in the 84th minute (John Walton/PA)But USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher saved the spot-kick (Richard Sellers/PA)Millie Bright, right, put in a rash tackle on Morgan two minutes after the penalty miss (Richard Sellers/PA)Bright duly received her second yellow card and was sent off (Richard Sellers/PA)White is dejected after the final whistle (John Walton/PA)Scott was distraught (Richard Sellers/PA)England players reflect on the defeat on the Lyon pitch (John Walton/PA)The United States team celebrate after full-time (John Walton/PA)Rachel Daly consoles Bright after the match (John Walton/PA)Neville comforts Houghton (Richard Sellers/PA)The England players form a huddle around head coach Neville (John Walton/PA)Neville, left, and the players during a huddle (John Walton/PA)
Ollie McAninch is a former public and private sector economist turned digital media pioneer. After working in the media for over a decade, he helped develop The London Economic to promote independent investigative journalism.
When he isn't contributing articles, Ollie spends the bulk of his time looking after animals, pressing apples and planting trees.
