In a game where even a single sheet of paper couldn’t be slid in between the two sides, it took the extraordinary to determine a winner.
Defending champions Japan are through to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in unbelievable fashion, with England conceding an own goal in the dying seconds of injury time in heartbreaking scenes.
As Japan pressed forward in a last ditch effort to avoid extra time in this second Semi Final, English defender Laura Bassett reached what ordinarily should have been a routine defensive clearance into touch – cutting off an attacking through ball with the intent to send it out for a Japanese corner.
Instead, Bassett watched helplessly as the ball sailed off her boot, clearing the hand of English keeper Karen Bardsley, ricocheting off the crossbar and over the goal line for an own goal, in what is inarguably one of the most brutal sporting moments you’re ever likely to see.
Following a brief Hawkeye review, play was reset, only for the final whistle to blow mere seconds later, giving Japan a 2-1 victory over the English, and punching their ticket to a clash with the USA in the final.
Post-game, Bassett was shown crumpled on the turf, sobbing and inconsolable as her teammates rallied around her.
In the 90 minutes that preceded, the might of the Japanese was met head-on by an unrelenting English attack that bombarded their opponents goal front – outshooting their more fancied opponents by more than double.
The Japanese possession game was in full force, but England’s attack swung into high gear whenever turnovers were forced, and on more than one occasion served up shots that – perhaps on any other day – would have rattled twine.
Though the Japanese struck first in the 33rd minute when captain Aya Miyama struck a penalty truly, the English followed up a mere 7 minutes later with a penalty of their own – summarily put away by midfielder Fara Williams.
But the game, as good as it was, will ultimately be remembered only for the final dramatic seconds; scenes never before seen in any form of World Cup, and unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.
The heart, it aches for Laura Bassett and the English, who now must somehow swallow the bitterest of pills and turn their attention towards Germany and a clash for third place in Edmonton this coming weekend.
As for Japan, a trip to Vancouver and the USA now await; the final hurdle standing between them and a second successive World Cup.
Sport. It is a cruel, cruel thing.
The FIFA World Cup finals will be broadcast live on SBSOne.
Third Place game between England and Germany takes place on Sunday morning with coverage starting at 5:45am.
The 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between Japan and the USA begins at 8:30am on Monday morning.
Photo: Todd Korol via Getty Images.
