Barrow’s Georgia Stanway was unable to save England as a late substitute, as their hopes of winning the Women’s World Cup were ended by a 2-1 defeat against the USA in a gripping semi-final in Lyon.

Alex Morgan’s 31st-minute header proved to be decisive, but just as in their last four clash against Japan in 2015, the Lionesses will be thinking what might have been.

They had an Ellen White ‘goal’ ruled out for offside after a VAR check, while captain Steph Houghton had a penalty saved by USA ‘keeper Alyssa Naeher with six minutes left.

In truth, however, the Americans always had that extra bit of composure and nous that has given them the chance of defending their title in the final on Sunday and winning their fourth World Cup.

In trying to chase the game, England manager Phil Neville sent on Stanway for Rachel Daly in the 89th minute, but the 20-year-old barely had a chance to influence the closing stages.

USA went into the game as favourites and they began ominously as Rose Lavelle went past Millie Bright before being denied by a good save by England ‘keeper Carly Telford, who was in for the injured Karen Bardsley.

However, she couldn’t do anything to prevent the holders taking the lead in the ninth minute when Kelley O’Hara’s cross from the right led to Christen Press planting in a free header at the back post.

The Lionesses’ response was excellent, however, and they levelled the match after 19 minutes when Beth Mead’s excellent cross was steered in by White for her sixth goal of the tournament.

That feat was matched by Morgan, who thumped in a terrific header from Lindsey Horan’s cross to restore the USA’s lead.

England thought they had equalised again halfway through the second half when White strode on to Jill Scott’s flick and finished with aplomb, but the VAR check showed her to be marginally offside and the goal was ruled out.

VAR looked set to be England’s friend later in the piece when a lengthy check led to them being awarded a penalty after Becky Sauerbrunn was judged to have knocked White over as she tried to reach Demi Stokes’ cut-back.

With Nikita Parris having missed her last two spot kicks, Houghton took on the responsibility, but her tame effort was comfortably kept out by Naeher.

England’s cause wasn’t helped by a late red card for Bright, who was shown a second yellow, and time eventually ran out.

They’ll now have to face the losers of the Netherlands or Sweden from tomorrow’s other semi-final in Saturday’s third place play-off.