The drama in the FIFA Women's World Cup semifinal encounter between England and USA lived on right to the end with the former missing a crucial penalty in the dying embers of the encounter.
After falling being twice and seeing Ellen White's potential equaliser ruled offside, the Lioness had a glorious opportunity to restore parity from a spotkick. Once again it was White who was in mix of the action having been brought down in the USWNT's penalty area inside the 83rd minute.
It was a very close call as the 30-year-old Manchester City appeared to have made minimal contact with the leg of Becky Sauerbrunn in her attempt to slot home a slide-through ball from Stokes.
Upon a lengthy review, the referee award England the penalty. However, Phil Neville side was dealt a massive heartbreak as Houghton effort to the bottom corner was kept out by the USWNT team shot stopper Naeher. Watch the incident below:
England's Steph Houghton sees her soft penalty, awarded after #VAR check, saved by Alyssa Naeher #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/8LeVzYPwBd
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2019
Not much happened in the following minutes as the USWNT successfully secured a second straight FIFA Women's World Cup final berth. Jill Ellis' side will meet either Sweden or Netherlands at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais on July 7.
2015 - Alyssa Naeher is the first #USWNT keeper to save a penalty in a match (all competitions) since Hope Solo in March 2015. Denial. #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/P3J2xe00TJ
— OptaJack (@OptaJack) July 2, 2019