England hammered Norway 3-0 on Thursday evening to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup for a second tournament in a row.

The Lionesses got off to the perfect start when Jill Scott tapped home Lucy Bronze’s cutback inside three minutes after a miss-kick from Ellen White, before a wonderful team move was finished off by White - taking her joint top of the World Cup goalscoring charts - five minutes before half time.

Bronze then put the icing on the victory with a fabulous strike from a well-worked free-kick in the 57th minute, with Nikita Parris even having penalty saved well by Norway keeper Ingrid Hjelmseth after England captain Steph Houghton was pushed in the box late on.

England will now face the winners of the match between France and USA in the last four and will fancy their chances after such an impressive showing in Le Havre.

The tournament’s fastest goal – timed at 126 seconds – put England on course for victory as veteran Scott finished after great work from Bronze to create the opening.

Norway responded well, though, and put England under pressure, but England showed far superior quality in front of goal, with White thundering an effort against the post on the end of a sumptuous pass from Parris.

Lyon forward Parris was again the creator for White, this time the 30-year-old could not miss from six yards, with the goal meaning White is now England’s top goalscorer at Women’s World Cups.

After the break, England continued in the ascendancy, rounding off the win with Bronze’s thunderbolt of a strike from fully 25 yards, after Beth Mead had caught the Norwegians napping, with Parris unable to make the margin of victory more emphatic from 12 yards in the latter stages.

It is coming home, right? England’s triumph in the SheBelieves Cup certainly raised hopes of success in France this summer ahead of the World Cup, but four wins from four prior to their quarter-final clash ensured a nation expected. Now, having put a talented Norway side to the sword in emphatic fashion, World Cup glory is still very much on England fans’ minds. USA and France are still favourites, but England are starting to hit top gear, and with such an array of attacking talent, can anyone stop them?

Lucy Bronze. Houghton was a colossus at the back, but the award goes to the best right-back in this tournament, hands down. Her set-up play for the opener was superb, showing a great burst of pace before laying a perfect pass back for Scott. Bronze remained a threat on the right all match, before getting on the scoresheet herself in spectacular fashion.

3’ - GOOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!!!! England 1-0 Norway. What a start from England as Jill Scott steers home the opener. The fastest goal of the tournament so far gives England the advantage. Superb work from Lucy Bronze to burst to the byline, she pulled it back for White, who miss kicked, but veteran Scott was on hand to steer the ball into the bottom corner.

20’ - CHAAAAAANCE! Scott slides a nice pass into Nikita Parris, who cuts inside, with defenders committing themselves, but the Manchester City forward slices over the top with the goal at her mercy.

29’ - POST! So close to a second for England. The lofted pass to White from Parris is superb, the England striker takes her time and fires a powerful strike for goal, but sees her effort come out off the post.

38’ - SAVE! Lovely move from England. White feeds Kirby, who clips a perfect cross onto the head of Parris, but her downward header is well saved.

40’ - GOOOOOALLLLL!!!! England 2-0 Norway. White is on hand to convert from close range to double England's lead. Lovely swift move from England. Parris is again the danger as she is put clean through, only this time she elects to square for White, who slots home with ease. White now leads the scoring charts in this tournament, and now has more Women's World Cup goals than any other England player.

47’ - CHANCE! Graham Hansen is there, on the end of a knockdown, six yards out, unmarked, looking set to get Norway back into the match, but Houghton recovers brilliantly to make the tackle and save England.

57’ - GOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!!! England 3-0 Norway. WHAT. A. GOAL. Bronze thunders into the net to surely put England in the last four. A training ground routine caught Norway out, Mead slotted the ball into the path of Bronze, who unleashed a thunderous strike from fully 25 yards that flew into the net. Game over?

66’ - OFF THE LINE! Awful pass from Bright puts Bardsley in trouble, Utland nips in, leaves Bardsley on the floor, fires for goal, but Houghton is back on the line to clear, heroically.

82’ - PENALTY TO ENGLAND! Houghton is pushed to the floor and the referee points to the spot.

83’ - SAVED! Parris, who missed her last penalty, sees another penalty saved! Good job it matters little!
• Ellen White is the first England player ever to score five goals in a single Women’s World Cup
• White is the second English player to score in four consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances after Gary Lineker between 1986 and 1990 - she is the first English player to do so in a single edition.
• Jill Scott (2007, 2011 and 2019) is only the second ever player to score in three separate Women's World Cup tournaments for the Lionesses, after Fara Williams (2007, 2011 and 2015).
• Lucy Bronze is the first England player to both score and assist a goal in the same Women's World Cup game since Jill Scott against New Zealand in 2011. </s> LE HAVRE, France (AP) — Lucy Bronze helped set up the first two goals before completing England's 3-0 victory over Norway with a powerful shot of her own Thursday night, sending the team into its second straight Women's World Cup semifinal.

After finishing third at the last tournament four years ago, England will now face either France or the United States on Tuesday in its quest for a first women's final.

It is likely to prove far tougher for the world's third-ranked team than dispatching a team still featuring players who aren't professionals.

England took less than three minutes to take the lead, with Bronze muscling her way down the right flank before cutting the ball back. Ellen White missed a shot but Jill Scott was primed to strike in off the post.

White did get her fifth goal of the tournament in the 40th minute. Played in by Bronze, Nikita Parris spotted White racing between the Norway center backs to receive the pass and sweep into the net.

It was a clever routine that led to the third in the 57th minute. With England preparing to take a free kick on the left flank, Norway was expecting it to be swung into the penalty area. But Beth Mead spotted Bronze arriving at the edge of the penalty area unmarked and the right back connected first-time and raised it high into the roof of the net with a fierce shot.

Nodding in approval from the stands was David Beckham, who high-fived Sue Campbell, the head of women's soccer in England.

While Beckham never made it past a quarterfinal as a player for the England men's team, the Lionesses are now in their third successive semifinal after also making the final four at the 2017 European Championship.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> England beat Norway 3-0 on Thursday to book their place in the semi-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

Midfielder Jill Scott got Phil Neville's side off to the perfect start by side-footing the Lionesses in front from Lucy Bronze's cut-back inside three minutes.

England doubled their lead five minutes before half-time. Again the danger came down the right flank, with Nikita Parris setting up Ellen White to sweep home from close range.

The Lionesses wrapped up a comfortable win with their third goal just before the hour mark. Beth Mead cut a free-kick back to Bronze, who fired a powerful shot past goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth.

England made just one change to their team, with Demi Stokes coming in for Alex Greenwood, while Norway stuck with the same starting XI that beat Australia in the last 16:

The Lionesses took the lead in the opening minutes after Bronze raced past Ingrid Engen down the right flank and cut the ball back inside the penalty area. White swung at the ball and missed, but it travelled through to Scott, who wrote her name into the history books:

England's best play throughout the half came down their right side, with Bronze and Parris causing Norway all sorts of problems.

Parris fired an effort wide when well placed after 20 minutes and then set up White, who saw her effort smash against the woodwork and fly away to safety (UK only):

The second goal arrived before half-time and again came from good work out wide. Bronze and Parris combined to tee up White, who tucked home from close range:

Norway had a chance to pull one back at the start of the second half due to some poor defending by the Lionesses. However, Steph Houghton was just able to nick the ball off Caroline Graham Hansen when the latter looked certain to score.

England sealed the win just before the hour mark. Mead cut a free-kick back to Bronze just outside the penalty area, and the latter smashed a superb shot into the roof of the net:

The Lionesses became a little sloppy after the third goal and could have conceded. Houghton was forced to clear off her own line, while goalkeeper Karen Bardsley made smart saves from Lisa-Marie Utland and Isabell Herlovsen to preserve her clean sheet.

England wasted a chance to extend their advantage in the final 10 minutes after being awarded a penalty for a push on Houghton. However, Parris saw her spot-kick saved by a diving Hjelmseth.

It was a dominant performance by the Lionesses, who made it five wins from five at the tournament and are now just a game away from a first ever appearance at a World Cup final.

England progress to the semi-finals and will play the winner of Friday's quarter-final clash between hosts France and holders USA. </s> The 2019 Women's World Cup came to an end over the weekend as the United States successfully retained the title they won in 2015, and a fourth overall, after beating the Netherlands 2-0 in front of a sell out crowd in Lyon.

After a month of intense action and drama, now comes the time for reflection on what has been a marvellous few weeks for women's football.

This is 90min's team of the tournament...

Currently without a club after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season, Sari van Veenendaal was arguably the main reason why an otherwise largely underwhelming Netherlands side reached a first ever World Cup final, capping it with the Golden Glove award.

The 29-year-old made numerous top quality saves throughout the tournament and was responsible for keeping the final against the United States competitive for as long as it was.

Honourable Mention: Christiane Endler (Chile) - Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world and prevented Chile from going the same way as Thailand in Group F.

Lucy Bronze was a star of the summer and further underlined her status as one of the very best players in the world. England's right-back was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player at whole World Cup, behind only Megan Rapinoe.

Bronze will return to Lyon at club level looking to continue the dominance of recent years after winning two Champions League titles in her two seasons in France.

One bizarre own goal aside, towering centre-back Wendie Renard was colossal at both ends of the pitch for France and could even have challenged for the Golden Boot had the hosts stayed in the tournament beyond the quarter-finals.

Renard bagged a brace on the opening night, netted the only goal against Nigeria and led the late French charge against the United States in the quarter-finals.

It has been an incredibly difficult few months for England captain Steph Houghton following her husband's diagnosis with motor neurone disease in December, but her performances on the pitch never showed it and she has remained the consummate professional.

Houghton missed a crucial late penalty that could have sent England's semi-final to extra-time, but her colleagues were right in pointing out they wouldn't have been there without her.

Crystal Dunn has typically been a more attacking player in the past and even scored four goals in three NWSL appearances for North Carolina Courage this season prior to World Cup duty, but she has fully established herself as a world-class left back in recent weeks.

Playing on the USWNT's left flank, it was always going to be vital that she could cope defensively as Megan Rapinoe has never been a 'tracking back' kind of player.

Jackie Groenen played every minute of every game for the Netherlands and scored the crucial extra-time goal against Sweden that put the Dutch into their first World Cup final. She appeared more distraught than most after the final whistle against the United States.

Once briefly of Chelsea, Groenen will be playing her club football in England in 2019/20 after becoming Manchester United's first-ever overseas signing in May.

A veteran of the United States squad from 2015, Julie Ertz was arguably the glue that held the whole team together and became increasingly important as the tournament progressed. She started the opening game in defence, but her presence in midfield thereafter was crucial.

USWNT coach Jill Ellis often dispensed with the more attack-minded Lindsey Horan in order to give the team greater structure and defensive protection with Ertz.

Rose Lavelle has emerged as the real breakout star of the 2019 Women's World Cup and was a deserving goalscorer in the final after her energetic contributions throughout the tournament, so much so that she walked away with the Bronze Ball as the third-best player overall.

The 24-year-old Washingon Spirit midfielder only made her senior international debut in 2017 and represents more than anyone the next generation of U.S. talent.

Sam Kerr and Australia exited the tournament disappointingly early after a round of 16 penalty shootout defeat to Norway, but the NWSL record-breaking forward was stunning during the games that she did play at this summer's tournament.

As well as scoring Australia's opening goal of the World Cup, 25-year-old Kerr netted four times in the demolition of Jamaica that secured her country's passage to the knockout rounds.

Honourable Mention: Alex Morgan (USA) - Scored five times in the United States' opening game against Thailand to tie a competition record, as well as once in the semi-final.

Ellen White emerged as England's biggest goal threat, showcasing her ability as a calm and composed finisher at the highest level. But for a marginal offside and a contentious VAR-ruled handball, her six World Cup goals could easily have been eight.

White has been on the international scene since 2010 and has played for several of England's top clubs, but 2019 has launched her to a new level of fame and acclaim.

Outspoken off the pitch and devastating on it, Megan Rapinoe was the single biggest star of the 2019 Women's World Cup. Rightly, she walked away with the World Cup trophy, Golden Boot and Golden Ball after six goals and several match-winning performances.

Rapinoe recent turned 34 years of age and has probably played her last World Cup, but she will go out at the very top and her legacy will burn bright long after she has retired. </s> LYON, France – Megan Rapinoe stood on the field, arms outstretched, striking her now trademark victory pose symbolizing the confidence of a U.S. team that celebrated and savored each triumph at the Women’s World Cup.

Rapinoe won the Golden Ball as top player and the Golden Boot as top scorer, and the United States backed up its brashness by winning while simultaneously making a strong statement for gender equity.

“We’ve done exactly what we set out to do, done exactly what we wanted to do, said what we feel,” Rapinoe said. “All of us, really. I know sometimes my voice is louder, but everybody is in this together. We’re such a proud and strong and defiant group of women.”

The U.S. won its record fourth Women’s World Cup title and second in a row, beating the Netherlands 2-0 Sunday night when Rapinoe converted a tiebreaking penalty kick in the second half and Rose Lavelle added a goal.

Rapinoe scored in the 61st minute after a video review determined Stefanie van der Gragt had fouled Diamond Bar’s Alex Morgan with a kick to the shoulder while competing for a deflected pass in the penalty area.

Two days past her 34th birthday, Rapinoe slotted the ball past Sari van Veenendaal for her sixth goal of the tournament. She became the oldest player to score in a Women’s World Cup final.

“Getting to play at the highest level of the World Cup with the team we have is just ridiculous. But to be able to couple that with everything on the field and to back up all of those words with performances and to back up all of those performances with words, it’s just incredible,” Rapinoe said. “I feel like this team is in the midst of changing the world around us as we live, and it’s just an incredible feeling.”

Lavelle, at 24 the team’s up-and-coming star, added her third goal of the tournament on an 18-yard left-footed shot in the 69th after a solo run from the center circle.

“It’s been a long journey. It doesn’t seem real yet. I hasn’t hit me, it’s so surreal, to be part of this group and to play with these players,” Lavelle said.

The monthlong journey isn’t over quite yet for players who captured the hearts of a nation. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio needed just a few seconds after the match to invite the team to a ticker-tape parade up the Canyon of Heroes in Manhattan on Wednesday.

Fans, many dressed in red, white and blue, chanted “Equal Pay!” at the final whistle , a reminder players sued the U.S. Soccer Federation in March claiming gender discrimination. The sides have agreed to mediate the lawsuit.

Rapinoe drew the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump by saying she would refuse to visit the White House. Trump called out Rapinoe on Twitter, saying she should never “disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team.” He said he would invite the team win or lose.

But shortly after the title game, Trump tweeted: “Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!”

Rapinoe also called out FIFA on the eve of the championship, suggesting soccer’s governing body was not doing enough to grow the women’s game, pointing to unequal prize money and the scheduling of the final on the same day as the championships of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Chicago and the Copa America final in Brazil.

Whether unequal treatment from soccer officials will change is uncertain. The Americans’ dominance in France is unquestioned.

They never trailed at the tournament and set records with 26 goals and a 12-game World Cup winning streak dating to 2015. Jill Ellis became the first coach to lead a team to two Women’s World Cup titles, and the U.S. joined Germany in 2003 and 2007 as the only repeat champions. While the U.S. has four titles, Germany is the only other nation with even two.

“It’s just chemistry. They put their hearts and soul into this journey,” Ellis said. “They made history.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino handed over the trophy, a stark contrast to four years ago in Canada, when then-president Sepp Blatter was a no-show as U.S. prosecutors investigated corruption in soccer’s governing body.

With confidence that some called arrogance — triggering a backlash that the angry response was sexist — this American team established a standard that exceeded the U.S. champions of 1991, 1999 and 2015, becoming a goal for all others to match. Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain were among the former American players who joined the current generation for the postgame celebration. Tobin Heath made angels in the fallen confetti.

Alyssa Naeher, the 31-year-old who succeeded Hope Solo in goal, faced repeated questions entering the tournament but allowed just three goals and finished with her fourth shutout.

The U.S. had scored within the first 12 minutes of its previous six matches but the European champions sat back to keep their defensive shape and kept the score 0-0 through the first half.

Video review, adopted by FIFA for the men’s World Cup last year, showed its impact when Stephanie Frappart, the first woman to referee a men’s Ligue 1 match, initially did not call the foul on Morgan, then went to the screen at the side of the field, watched replays and signaled toward the spot.

Rapinoe, who missed Tuesday’s semifinal win over England with a hamstring injury, became the first woman to score on a penalty kick during a Women’s World Cup final, her 50th goal in 158 international appearances. She ended the Netherlands’ 317-minute scoreless streak and matched Morgan and England’s Ellen White for most goals in the tournament, winning the Golden Ball based on fewer minutes.

Rapinoe was given a standing ovation when she was substituted in the 79th minute. The crowd of 57,900 at Stade de Lyon for Le Grand Finale included France President Emmanuel Macron.

Rebounding from a loss to Sweden on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympics, the Americans opened the World Cup with a record 13-0 rout of lowly Thailand, triggering debate over whether the celebrations after each goal were excessive. Carli Lloyd responded the next match by following a goal with a polite golf clap. Then Morgan stirred it up again when she scored against England and celebrated as if sipping tea, pinkie outstretched.

Now, after all the memorable drama, they will have a fourth star above the crest on the team’s jerseys and a higher platform to advance their cause.

“It’s something that we’ve worked so hard for. All of us, individually, have just faced so much adversity through this whole journey,” Morgan said. “We’ve been tested individually and collectively so much. So to see, four years ago, us go from two to three, and now three to four, it’s really a dream come true.” </s> PARIS — France began the Women’s World Cup the way it ended last year’s men’s tournament: with an emphatic victory.

Wendie Renard, a 6-foot-2 the tallest player in the tournament, scored a pair of headers off corner kicks, and Les Bleus overwhelmed South Korea 4-0 Friday night in a gala World Cup opener.

Eugenie Le Sommer and Amandine Henry also scored on a cool, windy night at Parc des Princes, the home of Paris Saint-Germain. French pop star Jain provided the pre-game entertainment for the sellout crowd of 45,261 fans.

France is vying to become the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles at the same time. France’s margin of victory was the largest in a Women’s World Cup opener since China beat Norway by the same score at the first tournament in 1991.

Norway and Nigeria meet in the other Group A opener on Saturday. France faces Norway on Wednesday and Nigeria on June 17.

Four years ago, all nine teams that won their opener advanced from the 24-nation group stage to the round of 16.

France is hosting the tournament in a time when women’ teams are increasingly their push for equal treatment from FIFA and other soccer governing bodies.

The world’s fourth-ranked team wasn’t tested by No. 14 South Korea. France had a 17-0 advantage in shots during the first half and 21-4 overall.

Les Bleus, eliminated by Germany on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals four years ago in Canada, applied pressure from the start on goalkeeper Kim Minjung.

Le Sommer scored in the ninth minute off a cross from Henry and held up her hands in the shape of a heart in celebration after the earliest goal in a Women’s World Cup opener. South Korea has conceded the first goal in all eight World Cup it has played.

Griedge Mbock Bathy appeared to score in the 30th minute but the goal was disallowed in a video review, technology also used by FIFA at last year’s men’s tournament in Russia.

Renard doubled the lead in the 35th from Gaëtane Thiney’s corner kick as the crowd chanted “Wendie! Wendie!”

She made it 3-0 from Amel Majri’s corner kick in stoppage time with her 22nd international goal. Ten of her last 11 goals have come on headers.
• Five players to watch during the 2019 Women’s World Cup
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• Crystal Dunn upped her game for U.S. Women’s World Cup team after getting cut in 2015 Henry added a goal off a pass from Le Sommer in the 85th.

South Korea substitute Lee Mina had the best chance for her team on a breakaway in the 76th minute, but the shot went just wide.

Renard, selected player of the match, is among seven players on France’s roster that play professionally for Lyon, which recently crushed Barcelona 4-1 to win the women’s Champions League for the fourth straight year and sixth time overall.

Coach Corinne Diacre had surprised many when she left French league leading scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto off her roster. The 20-year-old plays for PSG. </s> Le Havre, France: A stunning strike by Lucy Bronze helped England to a 3-0 quarter-final win over Norway in Le Havre on Thursday as Phil Neville’s team eased into the last four of the women’s World Cup.

David Beckham, a former colleague of Neville’s for Manchester United and England, was among the crowd of more than 21,000 at the Stade Oceane to see midfield stalwart Jill Scott open the scoring inside three minutes, becoming just the second English player to score at three separate women’s World Cups.

Ellen White then grabbed her fifth goal of the tournament five minutes prior to half-time and Bronze made sure of the victory with a rising shot high into the net as the hour mark approached.

England were so comfortable towards the end that they could even afford to squander a penalty, with Nikita Parris having her late spot-kick saved.

There were striking similarities between Bronze’s effort here and her goal that gave England a 2-1 win over the same opponents a round earlier at the 2015 World Cup in Canada.

The Lionesses went out of that tournament in the semi-finals and also fell in the last four at Euro 2017. Now they will hope to go a step further, although a daunting challenge awaits against hosts France or holders the United States in Lyon next Tuesday.

Norway had declared ambitions of leaving France with a medal to show for their efforts, but after ousting Australia on penalties in the last round, this was a step too far for them.

It is impossible not to wonder how different things might have been in this game had the class of Ada Hegerberg been available to Martin Sjogren’s team.

They could not recover after falling behind to Scott’s early goal, with Bronze charging forward down the right and cutting the ball back from the byline for the Manchester City midfielder to side-foot in off the far post after White had miskicked.

It was a landmark goal for Scott, who first found the net for her country against Argentina at the 2007 World Cup.

England looked like scoring every time they came forward in the first half, with White hitting the post and Parris having a header saved by Ingrid Hjelmseth before the second goal came on 40 minutes.

Yet again the left side of the Norwegian defence was badly exposed as Parris teed up White to convert from inside the six-yard box and join Australia’s Sam Kerr and Alex Morgan of the USA at the top of the World Cup scorers’ chart.

Any hopes Norway had of a second-half comeback were doused in the 57th minute when Bronze was fouled by Ingrid Syrstad Engen on another charge forward from right-back.

Norway had chances to grab a consolation but England stood firm to secure a fourth straight clean sheet, although they missed the chance to score a fourth goal from the spot with seven minutes left.

Captain Steph Houghton was shoved over in the box by Chelsea’s Maria Thorisdottir, but Parris - who had a penalty saved in the group-stage win over Argentina on the same ground - saw her kick from 12 yards kept out by Hjelmseth diving high to her right. </s> England sent out a warning to their rivals as they stormed into the women's World Cup semi-finals with an impressive 3-0 victory against Norway.

England sent out a warning to their rivals as they stormed into the women's World Cup semi-finals with an impressive 3-0 victory against Norway.

Ellen White scored her fifth goal of the tournament in between Jill Scott's opener and a Lucy Bronze screamer from the edge of the area as Phil Neville's side set up a mouthwatering clash with either holders the United States or hosts France.

England were devastating on their right flank with Bronze and Nikita Parris, who missed a late penalty, tormenting their opponents throughout as Norway suffered physically.

England got away with some sloppiness in defence but the Lionesses will hope to improve on their third place from 2015.

They took the lead after only three minutes when Bronze burst down the right flank and cut in from the byline. White swung and missed but Scott slotted the ball home off the post for the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

England dominated possession and Parris fired over the crossbar before White came closer when she rattled the upright after a quick throw-in.

For all their superiority and Norway's lack of inspiration, the Lionesses were still vulnerable to a comeback.

However, doubled the tally five minutes before the break, White tapping in from Parris's cross from inside the area.

Parris's pace was too much too handle for Norway, but England put themselves in a dangerous situation when goalkeeper Karen Bardsley's poor first touch trying to control a back pass almost saw her dispossessed in front of goal.

But the contest was all but over in the 57th minute when the unmarked Bronze unleashed a rising shot that flew into the roof of the net from Beth Mead's free kick.

Houghton made sure there was no late setback for England by clearing Lisa-Marie Utland's shot off the goal-line as Norway finally hit their stride.

Parris saw her penalty saved by Ingrid Hjelmseth seven minutes from time - the first player to miss two penalties at the same women's World Cup having failed against Argentina in the group stage - but England had wrapped up the win by then. </s> England's World Cup goal-scoring star Ellen White will secure a life-changing bonus if the team win the World Cup.

White and team-mate Millie Bright are on course to become overnight millionaires as the two members of Phil Neville's team signed to adidas.

The company have pledged to match the bonuses paid to their representatives in France's 2018 World Cup-winning team, including Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

White's fifth tournament goal in the 3-0 win over Norway puts her level with Alex Morgan of the USA in the race for the Golden Boot. Adidas, who sponsor the award, will also pay the same prize money to the woman's winner as they did to Harry Kane for clinching the men's equivalent last summer.

Neville's players will get a bonus of around £50,000 from the FA if they lift the trophy. But the sums that White, 30, and Bright, 25, stand to collect from their kit sponsor would be on another level. White, who recently joined Manchester City from Birmingham City, is thought to earn around £60,000 a year.

Most of Neville's players are signed to Nike, with Nikita Parris among several others with Puma. Toni Duggan, one of the Nike players, said of the adidas prize-money before the tournament: 'It's irrelevant to me. When you sign a contract that's your deal, everyone has different deals. I'm happy for the girls with adidas. I hope we win it and they get the money.'

The unprecedented levels of domestic interest in the England team saw a record-breaking peak UK TV audience of 7.6million tune in on BBC One to watch England beat Norway 3-0 on Thursday night and reach the semi-final.

That was 38.6 per cent of the available audience and beat the previous best for a women's game of 6.9m for England's win over Cameroon on Sunday. The average audience was 6.8m.

Neville and his players flew to Lyon on Friday, where temperatures are expected to reach 37C this weekend. Tickets for their semi-final on Tuesday are already going for more than £300 each on secondary sites.

Parris has rejected suggestions she might talk to a psychologist after missing a second penalty at the World Cup against Norway.

The 25-year-old said: 'Talk to the psychologist for what? The keeper made a fantastic save. I need to practise on the training pitch.'
Ellen White becomes England's all-time leading FIFA Women's World Cup Final goalscorer with the team's second goal against Norway in the 2019 Women's World Cup quarterfinal win.