A heartbreaking injury-time own goal knocked Mark Sampson's Lionesses out of the Women's World Cup and put the defending champions Japan through to the final.

Claire Rafferty gave Japan a gift of a goal, putting both hands on Saori Ariyoshi, albeit just outside the area. Aya Miyama took a nonsensically long time over her run-up, but eventually struck past Karen Bardsley.

Then England got a soft penalty of their own less than ten minutes later, Steph Houghton claiming a foul in the box and falling to the ground. Fara Williams converted to equalise.

England had spells of absolute dominance throughout the second half, with Toni Duggan and Claire Rafferty both hitting the bar.

It looked like the match was heading to extra-time when Japan broke after yet another England attack, and Laura Bassett had to stick out a leg in an attempt to prevent the ball reaching the onrushing attackers. It bounced off her shin and looped over Bardsley's head, knocking England out of the tournament in the cruellest way possible.

Japan will meet two-time champion United States on Sunday in a rematch of the 2011 World Cup final.

Japan and the U.S. played to a 2-2 tie four years ago, and Japan won the penalty-kick shootout 3-1.

The United States gained a measure of revenge the next year, downing Japan 2-1 in the Olympic women's gold medal match.

England will play Germany on Saturday for third place.

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