Machibet777 CricketSteph Houghton misses penalty as England's Lionesses suffer World Cup semi final heartache against USA | The Sun - Machibet777 Bet

IT’S semi-finals that are the curse now, not just penalties.

But Steph Houghton may never recover from the spot-kick miss that means England’s glory story ended in heartbreak.

Steph Houghton missed a late penalty as England were defeated 2-1 by USA in the Women's World Cup semi finalCredit: EPA

Ellen White agonisingly had an equaliser ruled out by VAR for offsideCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher guessed the right way to deny the England skipper an equaliserCredit: Reuters

Phil Neville consoles Steph Houghton after the final whistleCredit: Getty Images

Skipper Houghton was handed the chance to level after a controversial VAR call in England’s favour, when Ellen White went down under pressure from Becky Sauerbrunn.

Despite Phil Neville stating Nikita Parris would stay on penalty duties despite her misses against Argentina and Japan, it was Houghton who stepped up.

Her shot, though, was tame, far too close to keeper Alyssa Naeher’s right.

It was a devastating moment for the inspirational captain and England, who ended with 10 players after Millie Bright’s tough night ended with a second yellow card.

But it was so tough on every member of Neville’s side, who gave everything and twice thought they were set to be level for the second time.

The first had come just a few minutes earlier, when for 60 seconds or more, White was celebrating her seventh of the World Cup, coolly racing on to Jill Scott’s flick to stroke home left-footed.

America’s offside appeal was not impassioned. They were just hoping for salvation.

But it came, agonisingly slowly, but with a dread inevitability.

White was, just, a mere fraction, ahead of the last defender. The line was clear, the decision right.

But it was with Houghton’s horror moment that England dreams of triumph evaporated, Bright’s second yellow card mere confirmation.

This was hard to bear, after England went toe to toe with the biggest bullies on the planet.

Phil Neville and his team suffered agony in Lyon as their World Cup dreams were endedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Millie Bright was given her marching orders during the closing stages as England bowed outCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

USA star delivered the knockout blow to the brave LionessesCredit: AFP

Christen Press had given the Stars and Stripes an early lead against EnglandCredit: EPA

Ellen White drew England level as she wrote her name into the record booksCredit: Reuters

They left nothing on the pitch except tears and when White scored to cancel out the the US opener, coming from Christen Press, the surprise replacement for injured superstar Megan Rapinoe, it felt like it could happen.

If the absence of Rapinoe was a boost for England, who switched shape to a flat midfield four, with Nikita Parris running off White, the start was anything.

Indeed, the Lionesses were in danger of being torn to shreds.

USA have scored inside the first 12 minutes of every game here - and did it once more

Carly Telford, in for hamstring victim Karen Bardsley - echoes of Peter Bonett’s call-up to replace Gordon Banks against West Germany in 1970 - had already made one vital stop, after Millie Bright was nutmegged by Rose Lavelle.

But there was nothing she could do when space opened up behind Demi Stokes and Beth Mead for overlapping Kelley O’Hara, who crossed deep to the back post.

Lucy Bronze was caught underneath the ball, not close to challenging, and Press’ firm header ripped past Telford into the roof of the net.

My players gave me everything. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the best team in the world. We have touched the hearts of the nation and they have left their hearts out there, so I’m happy.
PHIL NEVILLE

America have never lost a World Cup match in which they have opened the scoring.

Nobody seemed to have told England that, however, as they were back on terms - through White, of course - from their first proper attack.

Keira Walsh drilled a cross-field pass, which gave Beth Mead, in for Toni Duggan, the chance to deliver, picking the spot behind Abby Dahlkemper and allowing White to steer into the top corner from six yards.

It looked a terrific goal, bringing with it White’s trademark “Goggles” celebration, although might have been directed by the striker’s right calf.

The US, though, can always find the extra gear and they were back in front on the half hour when Bronze and Walsh failed to read the situation down the England right.

Millie Bright is shown red for a second bookable offence in FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final

Horan was fatally allowed the time and space to pick out her ball to the penalty spot and Morgan got across Stokes to head home, sipping an imaginary cup of tea in a throwback to Boston and the War of Independence.

Even so, England responded and Walsh, having far and away her best game of the tournament, stung Alyssa Naeher’s palms with a swerving strike from distance that was heading for the top corner.

Bright, booked in the first half for cuffing Morgan in the face, was having a night to forget - one that was to get worse by the end.

England’s bigger problem, though, was finding a way past America’s ferocious and unyielding physicality - and their astonishing gamesmanship as they made the most of every slight touch.

Neville introduced Fran Kirby, for Mead and then Walsh red Scott, who believed her touch, finished with such aplomb by White, was the equaliser.

Then came the critical point as White went down as she tried to meet Stokes’ cross, with Brazilian ref Edina Alves Batista taking forever to give the spot kick.

Maybe that was a part in Houghton’s miss.

Houghton, so often the heroine, ended up slumped and crestfallen, England bodies all around her, as the US celebrated.

So near, so far. So cruel.