BBC Sport looks back on the gut-wrenching moment Laura Bassett scored an own goal to knock England out of the 2015 World Cup, against Japan in the semi-final. Absolutely devastated for @laurabassett6 We all make mistakes and I hope she doesn’t let this define her. Defending champions Japan again left their victory late – their quarter-final win over Australia had come with an 87th minute winner. Half hour and finally got that’s what she said gif the breakthrough on a penalty, awarded when Claire Rafferty brought down Saori Ariyoshi, who was charging towards goal. Miyama stepped up and, taking her time with a stuttering run, slotted the penalty in as Karen Bardsley dived the wrong way in the England goal. England place a big emphasis on creating chances from set-pieces and Liverpool’s former Chelsea and Charlton midfielder Williams is the dead-ball expert.
It looked like England and Japan were going to overtime, as they were tied 1-1 with less than a minute left in stoppage time. Bassett tried to clear the ball, but instead it snuck into the goal and counted as a point for Japan. The ex-Arsenal defender suffered heartbreak at the World Cup in Canada two years ago, scoring an own goal at the end of extra-time in England’s semi-final clash with Japan that led to their exit from the tournament.
She whipped in a cross after 77 minuets but Mizuho Sakaguchi’s header went wide. The defending champions advanced to play the United States in the championship game at Vancouver on Sunday. It’s a rematch of the 2011 championship game in Germany, when Japan won on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw. The tallest outfield player in England’s squad, Manchester City midfielder Scott has several inches on the biggest of Japan’s defenders.
As the ball was crossed in from the right flank, Bassett attempted to clear the threat, but only succeeded in deflecting the ball over the head of goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and in the back of the net via the crossbar. Debutants Bosnia and Herzegovina started their World Cup campaign on a massive low when Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac knicked a Leo Messi freekick into his own net in the 3rd minute. Unaware of where the ball was and completely misjudging the flight of the ball, Kolasinac deflected the ball which then hit the post and went right in. The match ended 2-1 in favour of Argentina, who finished as runners-up at the World Cup. German Christoph Kramer will forever go down as scoring the most bizarre own goal in Bundesliga history, chipping goalkeeper Yann Sommer from an incredible 45 metres.
Captain Steph Houghton went down inside the box, possibly after her heel was clipped by Yuki Ogimi, and New Zealand referee Anna-Marie Keighley immediately pointed to the spot and Williams cooly converted. Japan struggled to find their rhythm as England worked hard to close them down in midfield and neutralise their possession style of play. England were bright and active from the outset and striker Jodie Taylor went close to a first minute opener when she turned sharply, broke clear of her marker and fired a powerful drive just wide. “It is heartbreaking to go out in the last minute after a good performance where we ran ourselves into the ground,” said England midfielder Jill Scott. Russell Westbrook displayed a striking lack of self-awareness during his exit press conference.