Steph Houghton consoles Rachel Daly and Nikita Parris after England's defeat to USA.

Women's World Cup: Semi-final heartbreak for United pair

Wednesday 03 July 2019 10:24

Manchester United Women's Alex Greenwood and Abbie McManus experienced heartbreak last night as England lost 2-1 to the USA in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup in Lyon.

The Reds pair were unused substitutes at Parc Olympique Lyonnais as Phil Neville's side were knocked out by the reigning world champions for the second tournament in succession, after defeat to Japan in Canada in 2015.

England fell behind early on to the three-time winners, as Christen Press evaded McManus’ former Manchester City team-mate Lucy Bronze to head home at the far post.

The Lionesses responded straight away, Ellen White diverting home Beth Mead’s cross to move clear of USA’s Alex Morgan as the tournament’s leading goalscorer.

The Stars and Stripes’ captain was to have the last laugh however, nodding beyond Carly Telford for what would turn out to be the winning goal on 31 minutes.

England were unlucky not to force extra time, as another White strike was ruled out for the closest of offsides and skipper Steph Houghton saw her 84th-minute penalty saved by US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Defender Millie Bright was sent off late on for a second bookable offence and the Lionesses will now travel south to Nice to play the Netherlands or Sweden in the third-place play-off on Saturday 6 July (kick-off 16:00 BST).

GROENEN AND NETHERLANDS AIM FOR FIRST FINAL

United may still be represented in Sunday’s showpiece. Prospective new signing Jackie Groenen's Netherlands side take on Sweden in Lyon in the second semi-final tonight (Wednesday).

The midfielder, who has signed a pre-contract agreement with the club, played the full 90 minutes in the Oranje’s 2-0 quarter-final win against Italy on Saturday and will be hoping to help the Euro 2017 champions reach their first-ever Women’s World Cup final.

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