USA vs England LIVE result: Phil Neville's side out of Women's World Cup semi-final following semi-final defeat
Reaction after England took on the USA for a place in the Women's World Cup final
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England women are out of the Women's World Cup after an agonising semi-final defeat to the USA
Steph Houghton had an 84th-minute penalty saved as the Lionesses missed out on a place in the final, losing 2-1 to the United States in Lyon. Phil Neville's side headed into the last four with dreams of becoming the first senior England team - male or female - to contest a World Cup final since 1966. However, a third penalty miss of the tournament ultimately proved costly after a rollercoaster match.
Here's how it played out:
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Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of England vs USA in the Women's World Cup semi-final.
The Lionesses are into the last four in France after topping their group before victories over Cameroon and then Norway in the knockout stages.
The performance last time out, when goals from Jill Scott, Ellen White and Lucy Bronze secured an impressive win, was Phil Neville's side best so far and has them full of confidence ahead of tonight's game in Lyon.
2015 winners and tournament favourites USA are yet to hit top gear so far but arrive here having already seen off hosts France last time out and in Megan Rapinoe boast the star of the tournament.
We'll have all the latest throughout the evening right here.
‘The nation is rooting for you’
The Kirby Estate, proudly naming themselves the "most patriotic" state in the UK put on their usual display of English flags.
"We haven't gone full scale like we did last year but I'd still say there was about 150 flags flying for our Lionesses," said resident Chris Dowse.
"The women's game hasn't got as widespread coverage as the men's - if people can see we're doing it for the women as well hopefully it encourages a young girl to go out and kick a football around."
The Lionesses have also received support from figures in politics, from the Prime Minister to a potential Prime Minister.
*Warning - the following Tweets reek of whiffy banter*
Neville questions hotel ‘etiquette’
The England coach was left bemused recently by US officials paying a visit to the hotel that England are staying in ahead of tonight's match in Lyon.
Two US staff members are understood to have scouted the Fourviere Hotel on Sunday morning as they consider staying there if the reach the final next Sunday, which is also held in Lyon.
‘Nobody fears America’
Nikita Parris: “Why shouldn’t we think we can’t be badder than them when we went to the She Believes and we won it? And we went toe to toe with them? You know?"
England on cusp of history
England's third place finish in 2015 was the best they have ever done in the World Cup, a win tonight would take them to a final for the very first time.
They can also become the first England team, men and women's, to reach a final since 1966.
US not arrogant, says US coach
Jill Ellis is not entertaining the criticism that her side is arrogant: ‘It’s important our team has confidence. I don’t think in any way that this is an arrogant team’
Christensen: England are no longer underdogs
The Independent's World Cup columnist Izzy Christensen says the way England are playing means they are no longer considered underdogs in these titanic games.
Millie Bright: England ready to bring ‘ultimate energy’
England are ready to handle the United States' "deadly" attack and bring their own "ultimate energy to the game, says Millie Bright.
Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan lead the scoring charts with five goals each.
"I think they've got many strengths," she said. "Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Alex Morgan - their front three are deadly. But we're prepared for that, we're ready for that. Our players have played against those players before and similar players, so it's nothing that we haven't dealt with before.
"I think it's definitely going to be our biggest test in the tournament so far, but it's one we're definitely ready for.
"I just think we're going to bring the ultimate energy. We're going to be 100 per cent going out there, win the physical battle and make sure we're clinical."
US are winning in the fan zones
American fans outnumbered the English by a large margin at the fan park in Lyon - with many oozing confidence it would be their side triumphant.
The Santa Clara University Women's Soccer team travelled from the Bay Area of California to France to follow the tournament.
Player Courney Ogren, 21, predicted a 3-0 win for the United States with two goals for Alex Morgan and one for Carli Lloyd.
"We have just grown up watching the team and seen them progress, even throughout this World Cup getting better and better every game," she said.
Teammate Sofia Jones, 20, added: "I think that France was their first really big challenge and I think they stepped up, they handled the insane atmosphere and they came out with a win." (PA)
Lionesses told to "leave nothing out there"
Manchester United coach and former England player Casey Stoney has given her words of encouragement ahead of tonight's huge game.
In an Instagram post, Stoney wrote: "Be fearless, be brave, and be that girl that started playing the game because she loved it!!
"Wishing the lionesses all the luck in the world tonight. No regrets, leave nothing out there!! Everyone is right behind you and you have the support of (the) nation."
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