England score on itself at Women’s World Cup
In what must be the most depressing moment in any athletes career on the big stage, England’s Laura Bassett scored into her own net during the second-half stoppage time, giving Japan a 2-1 victory over England in a Women’s World Cup semifinal. According to the Huffington Post,
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Laura Bassett scored into her own net during second-half stoppage time, giving Japan a 2-1 victory over England in a Women’s World Cup semifinal.
The decisive goal Wednesday came when Japan’s Nahomi Kawasumi drove up the right side and sent a cross into the middle for Yuki Ogimi. Bassett reached out with her right foot and caught the ball flush, inadvertently sending it toward her net. The ball struck the crossbar and bounced in just before goalkeeper Karen Bardsley could get across.
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.
Bassett was inconsolable at the end of the match, lying flat on the ground, her face in the turf. She then needed assistance from teammates and her coach before leaving the field.
It was a torturous finish for the sixth-ranked Lionesses, who have made their deepest run in four World Cup appearances. England had never won an elimination game until this year.
England will remain in Edmonton to play top-ranked Germany in the third-place match Saturday. Germany lost 2-0 to the United States on Tuesday.
The United States will face Japan in the World Cup finals on Sunday in Vancouver Canada. Japan is the defending Champion. given their performance against England it does not seem far fetch to believe that the United States stands a very good chance of winning it all. On this Independence Day weekend we must have another real world championship in the country.