The Lionesses were looking to reach their first-ever World Cup final, while Norio Sasaki's side were eyeing a chance to defend their crown following their tournament win in 2011.

Japan took the lead in the first half from the penalty spot through captain Aya Miyama, but the Lionesses equalised as Fara Williams also netted from 12 yards.

The match looked to be heading for extra-time, but England succumbed to defeat in heartbreaking fashion as Laura Bassett sliced the ball past Karen Bardsley to send Japan through to the final.

Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.

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11.30pm

Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Women's World Cup semi-final clash between Japan Women and England Women.

11.32pm

The Lionesses are making history this evening as they are just the second team from England to represent the nation in a World Cup semi-final since the men's triumph back in 1966. A victory will see them become the first England team since 1966 to reach a major final.

11.34pm

Japan Women will be very focused this evening as they will be determined to keep the defence of their crown alive. Norio Sasaki's team won the competition back in 2011 when they defeated the USA on a penaly shootout, and could face the States again in the final with a victory this evening.

11.37pm

The team news has been announced and we'll start with the Lionesses.

11.40pm

ENGLAND STARTING XI: Bardsley, Rafferty, Williams, Houghton, Bassett, J Scott, Moore, Bronze, Chapman, Duggan, Taylor
Subs: A Scott, Nobbs, Aluko, Carney, Chamberlain, Greenwood, Stoney, Potter, Sanderson, Telford, Kirby, White

11.42pm

JAPAN STARTING XI: Kaihori, Iwashimizu, Kumagai, Sameshima, Sakaguchi, Miyama, Kawasumi, Ohno, Utsugi, Ogimi, Ariyoshi
Subs: Fukumoto, Kinga, Sawa, Kamionobe, Tanaka, Sugasawa, Iwabuchi, Kawamura, Yamane, Nagasoto, Kitahara

11.45pm

England have made one change to their side that triumphed over Canada in the quarter-finals as Toni Duggan comes into the side to replace Karen Carney in Edmonton. Jodie Taylor continues to lead the line for the Lionesses with Jill Scott and Duggan in support. Meanwhile, Japan are unchanged from their vicory over Australia.

11.48pm

The defensive records of both teams are interesting ahead of the match as England have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight matches, while Japan have kept clean sheets in three of their last five matches, including their win over Australia in the last eight.

11.53pm

The teams are making their way out on to the pitch so we should be underway shortly.

11.55pm

England boss Mark Sampson has declared that his team are prepared to do it everything it takes to defeat Japan to reach their first World Cup final

"This tournament has transpired in a way that gives us huge belief that whatever happens against Japan, this team will find a way to get themselves through to the final," Sampson told BBC Sport. "This England team will be the last team to leave Canada.

"We know the task ahead is huge, but we really feel that something is happening that gives us that sense of belief, that higher purpose, that we will find a way to be the last team to go home."

11.59pm

The anthems are over and we're ready for kickoff. Here we go!

1 min

KICKOFF! We're underway in this World Cup semi-final.

1 min

CHANCE! The Lionesses threaten immediately as Taylor knocks the ball over Iwashimizu and strikes the ball on the half-volley, but her strike goes inches past the post. A good attempt by the forward and so close to handing England the lead after 37 seconds.

3 min

Japan work the ball down the right and Kawasumi does well to keep the ball in play to fire a cross into the middle, but Houghton is on hand to read the danger and clear out for a throw-in.

5 min

Williams opens up the right with a pinpoint crossfield pass to Bronze who sprints down the flank. The right-back makes excellent progress down the wing, but Kumagai reads the danger to clear the ball out for a corner.

6 min

Miyama does well down the left flank as she races on to a through ball and has space to fire in a cross with two players in support, but she goes for the near post where Bardsley can claim with ease.

7 min

England win a free kick down the right as Jill Scott is brought down by Kumagai, but the free kick from Williams is cleared with ease and Japan are able to pass the ball out from the back.

10 min

Taylor runs down the channel to latch on to a long ball forward from Williams. She holds the ball and delivers it back to Scott who lifts a cross into the box for Duggan, but she could not make contact with a header under pressure from Iwashimizu.

12 min

Japan win a corner down the left as Ogimi is tackled by Scott, the England woman is not happy about the decision by Miyama has a chance to deliver the ball into the box. Her delivery arcs towards the penalty spot, but Houghton rises highest to win the header and Duggan hoofs the ball out.

14 min

Taylor picks out the forward run of Duggan down the left and the forward cuts inside on to her right foot. With little options around her, Duggan decides to strike at goal from 30 yards but her effort is blocked and Japan clear their lines.

16 min

Kawasumi is nearly in down the right for Japan, but Rafferty is alert to the danger and is able to shepherd the ball out of play by fending off the winger's advances. A good defensive contest so far in Edmonton.

18 min

England win a free kick in the centre circle and Williams hits the ball long towards Kaihori looking for the deep run of Scott, but the Japan keeper comes through crowd of players to claim the ball.

20 min

CHANCE! Japan break down the left and Miyama latches on to a through ball which leaves the England defence open. Miyama plays the ball back to Sameshima on the edge of the box, but her strike sails over the bar.

22 min

Rafferty throws the ball into the box from the left for the Lionesses and Duggan controls the ball and then unleashes a vicious strike on her right foot, but her strike goes over the bar.

25 min

Chances have been hard to come by for both teams so far, but the defensive work from the teams has been excellent. There has been plenty of commitment and effort in the opening 25 minutes of the match.

27 min

CHANCE! Scott goes up against Sameshima down the right and wins the aerial duel before looking up and picking out Duggan in the middle. Duggan tries a first-time volley, but she can't get over the ball and sends her effort over the bar.

30 min

PENALTY TO JAPAN!

32 min

GOAL! Japan Women 1-0 England Women (Miyama pen.)

32 min

Japan take the lead from the penalty spot as Miyama keeps her cool with her stuttering run-up to drill the ball into the bottom corner, sending Bardsley the wrong way. The penalty was awarded when Rafferty brought down Ariyoshi in the box with a shove after the full-back had beaten her down the wing.

34 min

England look to hit back immediately as Scott races down the right flank and her cross is deflected into the path of Duggan, but she is closed down before she can fire an effort at goal and Japan clear.

36 min

The Lionesses work the ball down the left and Duggan knocks the ball back into the path of Rafferty on the edge of the box, but her right-footed effort sails well over the bar.

38 min

PENALTY TO ENGLAND!

40 min

GOAL! Japan Women 1-1 England Women (Williams pen.)

40 min

England get back on level terms as Williams holds her nerve from the spot and fires an effort past Kaihori, despite the keeping diving the right way. An excellent spot-kick, although the decision to award the penalty was dubious as Houghton went down under little contact in the box.

43 min

Sasaki's side try to retake the lead as they threaten down the left and although Houghton clears a cross into the box, Utsugi lines up a strike from the edge and her effort dips dangerously towards the net, but it lands on the roof of Bardsley's goal.

45 min

HALF-TIME: Japan Women 1-1 England Women

12.48am

It's level at the break as the sides have cancelled each other out with two strikes from the penalty spot. Aya Miyama handed her side the lead in the 32nd minute after Claire Rafferty brought down Saori Ariyoshi in the box, although contact was proven to be outside the box. However, England hit back when Steph Houghton's ankle was clipped by Rumi Utsugi and Fara Williams fired her effort past Ayumi Kaihori.

12.55am

There will be plenty of positives for Mark Sampson in the first half as the Lionesses carved out more opportunities than Japan, but also did look vulnerable at times at the back when they were cut open down the flanks. We're in store for an exciting second half if both teams can produce their best football in the final third.

12.59am

The players are back on the pitch so we should be underway shortly.

46 min

RESTART! We're back underway in this semi-final clash.

48 min

Bronze throws the ball deep into the box for the Lionesses and Chapman wins the header 12 yards from goal, but Ariyoshi is on hand to hook the ball clear, only for the ball to sail up vertically. However, Kaihori goes above Scott to claim the ball.

51 min

Bassett is forced to chase a long ball down as Miyama bears down on her and her pass back to Bardsley is poor as the ball sails out for a corner. The defender got her feet in a tangle there and produced the error.

52 min

Good work from Houghton and Bardsley as England avert the danger from the corner and following attack as the defender heads clear from the set piece. However, Ariyoshi's through ball down the right nearly picks out Kawashumi, but the keeper is off her line quickly to gather the ball at the winger's feet.

53 min

England win a free kick in the centre circle and the ball is launched forward towards Bronze by Williams. The defender wins the header, but her effort goes just over the bar, although Kaihori had her post covered anyway.

55 min

Sakaguchi earns a free kick for Japan down the right as Rafferty slides in from the side to win the ball, but caught the midfielder as she made the tackle. From the resulting set piece, Miyama's cross is cleared with authority by Bassett.

59 min

SUBSTITUTION: Taylor makes way for England as she is replaced by Ellen White.

61 min

OFF THE BAR! England come within inches of taking the lead as Duggan collects the ball on the edge of the box and unleashes a strike on the volley at goal. Her effort sails towards the net, but crashes off the woodwork, with Kaihori beaten as the ball bounces clear.

64 min

CHANCE! Kaihori makes a fine save to deny White as her left-footed effort curled towards the bottom corner, but the keeper dove well to palm the ball wide. Scott created the chance as she pressured Sameshima and Chapman fed the forward on the edge of the box, but her strike could not beat Kaihori.

66 min

CHANCE! England go close again as Williams whips the ball in from a corner and Scott attacks it with a powerful header, but the ball goes just the wrong side of the post, with Kaihori beaten.

69 min

Japan are looking to take the pace out of the game following the plethora of chances that have come England's way over the past 10 minutes.

70 min

SUBSTITUTION: Iwabuchi comes on for Japan to replace Ohno.

73 min

Bronze is off the field for the Lionesses with cramp and Iwabuchi nearly takes full advantage as she weaves her way down the left and cuts inside on to her right foot, but her strike goes past the post.

75 min

SUBSTITUTION: Alex Scott comes on to replace Bronze, whose injury is severe enough to force her from the field.

76 min

CHANCE! Sakaguchi heads just wide for Japan as she latches on to a cross into the middle, but can't guide her attempt on target from Miyama's cross.

78 min

OFF THE BAR! England rattle the woodwork for the second time in the half as Rafferty lofts the ball into the box and the ball arcs towards the net, and crashes off the bar as it goes over. It would have been a fortunate goal as Rafferty was attempting to cross the ball, but it was close for the Lionesses.

80 min

Both teams are starting to look jaded as passes are starting to get misplaced and the pressing has dropped. A mistake could decide the game here.

84 min

England win a free kick as White is clattered in the centre circle and Houghton lofts the ball up to Chapman, but her header sails harmlessly wide of the target.

85 min

SUBSTITUTION: England goalscorer Williams is replaced by Karen Carney. An interesting move given that this match could go to penalties.

87 min

Another free kick for England, but this time Kaihori is unable to gather the ball from Houghton's kick. The loose ball lands in the area and White tries to get on the end of it, but she can't make decent contact with the ball and Japan clear the ball away.

90 min

YELLOW CARD! Ogimi goes into the book for a challenge on Chapman. England have a chance to threaten from a free kick, which Houghton will take.

90 + 2 min

GOAL! Japan Women 2-1 England Women (Bassett OG)

90 + 2 min

Hearbreak for England as Japan break down the right and the cross from Kawashumi is diverted into own her net by Bassett as she tried to stop the ball from reaching Iwabuchi in then middle. What a way to lose!

90 + 3 min

FULL-TIME: Japan Women 2-1 England Women

1.49am

JAPAN ADVANCE TO THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP FINAL!

1.52am

Japan earn the chance to defend their crown as Laura Bassett is helpless to divert the ball past Karen Bardsley into her own net which ends England's hopes of winning the World Cup. A heartbreaking loss for the Lionesses, but they were made to rue their missed chances and leaving themselves open on the flank in the dying minutes of the game to cost them a place in final.

1.55am

England have performed extremely well in this competition and can hold their heads high for their achievements in Canada and they can still finish in third place when they face Germany on Saturday. Japan will now face the USA in the final in a rematch of the 2011 final.

2am

Thanks for joining our commentary this evening. Stick with Sports Mole for our continued coverage of the Women's World Cup this week, but from me, it's goodbye.