ENGLAND is out of the Women’s World Cup after an agonizing semifinal defeat to the United States.

Christen Press and Alex Morgan had given the U.S. a 2-1 lead over England. Alyssa Naeher then saved an 84th-minute penalty to preserve it, and ultimately seal the semifinal win.

It took the U.S. 12 minutes against Thailand. Eleven against Chile. Three against Sweden, seven against Spain, and five against France.

On Tuesday, the Americans did it again. For the sixth consecutive World Cup game — and seventh dating back to 2015 — they scored inside 12 minutes. Press needed less than 10 to break the deadlock.

This, though, was a brilliant team goal. Tobin Heath picked out Rose Lavelle in a pocket of space. Lavelle let the ball run through her legs into the path of Kelley O’Hara. O’Hara’s cross beat the English defense, and Press beat backup keeper Carly Telford. Lavelle created the goal without even touching the ball. And she did plenty else with it at her feet as well.

The U.S. was the better team in the first half, and the talisman was Lavelle. Three minutes into the game, she humiliated Millie Bright, danced into the box, and tested Telford. Later in the half, she caught two 20-meter shots really well. Telford’s palms kept one out of the back of the net. An English defender’s forehead foiled the other.

Throughout the half, she glided past opponents in midfield, as she’s done all tournament. She was the most influential player on the field, even if her name won’t show up on the scoresheet – until she exited with what appeared to be a hamstring injury after an hour. (SD-Agencies)