Audio By Carbonatix
England concluded an historic World Cup campaign by taking the bronze medal after securing a first ever win over Germany thanks to Fara Williams' extra-time penalty in Edmonton.
The Liverpool midfielder showed nerves of steel to step up and coolly send Nadine Angerer the wrong way after Lianne Sanderson had been tugged back in the area by Tabea Kemme. It was the Lionesses first victory in 21 attempts against the Germans and was the perfect way to sign off from a tremendous campaign in Canada.
Mark Sampson's tactical changes have been a feature of England's run throughout the tournament but his decision to switch to an unfamiliar back three almost backfired in the opening 10 minutes as Germany laid siege to the Lionesses goal. Karen Bardsley was forced to deny Lena Petermann and Celia Sasic while Steph Houghton did brilliantly to acrobatically clear off the line after Jo Potter's miscued defensive header looked to be dropping into her own net.
England settled as the half wore on and could have snared the lead against the run of play when Houghton scuffed straight at Angerer from Lucy Bronze's delightful cutback.
Sampson's side turned the screw late on and could have won it in normal time but Jill Scott failed to get her shot away after rounding Angerer. Germany dictated the play in extra-time but it was England who got the breakthrough before clinging on as Bianca Schmidt missed a simple header at the death.
-
Latest Stories
-
School shootings a new trauma for Turkey as nation mourns
35 minutes -
Naples bank robbers hold 25 people hostage then vanish through tunnel
36 minutes -
Trump’s Lebanon ceasefire takes Israel by surprise
46 minutes -
Singer D4vd arrested in connection with death of missing teen girl
57 minutes -
Acting ICE director Todd Lyons to leave agency
4 hours -
Messi buys fifth-tier Spanish club Cornella
4 hours -
Harry and Meghan meet Bondi shooting survivors
4 hours -
Pope lashes out at foreigners who exploit Africa
5 hours -
Judge halts above-ground construction of Trump’s White House ballroom
5 hours -
Finance ministers and top bankers raise serious concerns about Mythos AI model
5 hours -
Pope criticises ‘tyrants’ who spend billions on wars after Trump spat
5 hours -
Police arrest three suspects in alleged narcotic drugs operations
5 hours -
Court remands Pastor Love over alleged car theft
6 hours -
I wish more Ghanaians would bike to work – EU ambassador’s ride highlights climate and road safety gaps
6 hours -
Australian-based audiologist donate hearing aids to Ghanaians in need
6 hours