Women's World Cup - England 2-1 Canada: Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze on target as Lionesses roar into semi-finals
- England weathered an early storm and took the lead through Taylor, who pounced on Sesselmann's slip
- Darting through on goal, the Portland Thorns striker finished with aplomb from the edge of the area
- Three minutes later, they doubled their lead with Bronze netting her second goal in as many games
- It could have been three half way through the half, but Chapman's header bounced off the bar
- On the stroke of half-time, the hosts levelled with Sinclair capitalising on Bardsley's mistake
- Mark Sampson's side face holders Japan in Thursday's semi-final
Two first-half goals in four minutes from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze set up a semi-final with holders Japan early on midnight Thursday morning (BST).
Bobby Robson's entertaining England were the last team to reach the last four on the global stage in Italia 90 - and boss Mark Sampson was quick to praise the character of his side.
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Following the final whistle, England players celebrate a famous victory over the hosts which sets up a semi-final against holders Japan
Casey Stoney and Steph Houghton run with delight written across their faces following the conclusion of a dramatic victory
Jodie Taylor is a picture of delight following her quite brilliant opening strike which gave England the perfect start to the game
England women made history by reaching the World Cup semi finals for the first time ever thanks to two early goals
Lucy Bronze met Fara Williams' free kick perfectly, sending a nonchalant looping header beyond the clutches of Erin McLeod
Jill Scott of England makes sure Bronze's header crosses the line as England took a 2-0 lead after just 14 minutes
England players flock to Lucy Bronze (No 12) after her second goal in as many games put England in a commanding position
Christine Sinclair was quickest to react as Karen Bardsley palmed Ashley Lawrence's cross into the path of Canada's record scorer
Having won their first knockout game in history int he last 16 against Norway, England's run continued into the semi-finals
Jill Scott follows the ball into the net after Lucy Bronze (not pictured) scored with a header as England extended their lead
'What a show of resilience and character. We didn't play much football. Credit to Canada, they were outstanding,' he told the BBC.
'But this team won't give in. We got ourselves through. I can't be any prouder of my players.
'Every single England player ran through brick walls. We knew how hard it would be. Every single one of them dug so deep to get us through.'
After winning their first game in the knockout phase with a victory against Norway, England seal a place in the last four for the first time in history.
They were made to work hard for their victory by Canada, who were roared on by a partisan crowd in Vancouver.
England weathered an early storm, with Melissa Tancredi blasting over after cutting inside following an incisive counter-attack.
It was a miss that Canada would rue soon after, with Portland Thorns striker Taylor pouncing on and punishing a slip from Lauren Sesselmann.
In her first World Cup start, Taylor picked up the ball deep in the Canada half, turned a defender a rifled a shot past keeper Erin McLeod from the edge of the area.
Lucy Bronze, scorer of the winner against Norway, doubled the lead three minutes later.
The crowd were stunned into silence as Fara Williams' deep free-kick found Bronze at the far post.
Her looping, nonchalant header found the net via a deflection off the bar, beyond McLeaod's despairing dive.
It was the first time Canada had conceded more than one goal in 15 games, and they were rattled.
Tancredi had her second gilt-edged chance, heading Sophie Schmidt's free-kick over, but England continued to press and remained a threat on set pieces. Indeed, they could have made it three midway though the half after Katie Chapman's header hit the bar.
England's Houghton (right) checks the eye of goalkeeper Karen Bardsley during second half before she was replaced
Bardsley is forced to leave the pitch after her eye injury and was replaced by Siobhan Chamberlain early in the second half
The injury to Bardsley's eye is clear at the end of the match as she applauds the fans at the end of the game after England's win
Canada players look ruefully following the final whistle as the host nation crashed out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage
Fara Williams, who was at the heart of England's midfield, tackles Josee Belanger during a typically gutsy display
McLeod gets her fingertips on the ball to knock it away as Scott and Allysha Chapman look on during a thrilling encounter
Knowing they needed a goal before half-time, Canada forced their way back into the game through superstar Christine Sinclair.
Sinclair started the move, feeding Ashley Lawrence on the edge of the England area. She marched into the box, hitting a cross-cum-shot which was palmed away by Karen Bardsley, but only into the path of Sinclair.
Showing her famed goal poaching ability, she made no mistake from inside the six yard box, hitting her 155th goal from 228 appearances.
The scope of Mark Sampson's half-time team talk dramatically changed, the Lionesses went close through Karen Carney, who scored in group games against Mexico and Colombia, whose 25-yard effort sailed over.
England were forced into a 52nd-minute substitution, Siobhan Chamberlain making her first appearance of the tournament, after keeper Bardsley was forced off with a mystery eye injury.
Canada's Allysha Chapman beats Jill Scott to a header as England threaten to impose themselves on the game
England's players celebrate at the final whistle as they progressed to the semi-final of the Women's World Cup
The two managers, John Herdman (left) and Mark Sampson, shake hands ahead of a thrilling quarter-final
England's goalscorers Bronze and Taylor pose following the match as the Lionesses booked their place in the semi finals At the other end, Steph Houghton's hesitation allowed Tancredi to steal in but Houghton's team-mates snuffed out the danger.
With nerves building, England were forced deeper into their own half as the game reached its finale, but they held on to seal a famous victory, which sets up an enticing tie with the holders in Edmonton.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3141953/Women-s-World-Cup-England-2-1-Canada-Jodie-Taylor-Lucy-Bronze-target-Lionesses-roar-semi-finals.html#ixzz3eM3qMtVv
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