Japan vs. England: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 Women's Soccer World Cup

The English have a history of heartbreaking losses at the World Cup, but it's hard to imagine a more devastating way to lose than England managed against Japan in Wednesday's semifinal match at the 2015 Women's World Cup.

With the score knotted at 1-1 in the 92nd minute, Japan rushed forward on the counter and sent a low cross into the box. English defender Laura Bassett attempted to clear the ball but instead tragically redirected it right under her own bar and into the goal, giving Japan a 2-1 victory and a place in the final against the United States. 

England manager Mark Sampson and captain Stephanie Houghton spoke of the shocking developments at the end of the match with BBC Sport:

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#ENG skipper Steph Houghton on the "amazing journey" England have been on: http://t.co/jhpH8tauFj #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/kptmpe0zr0

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 2, 2015"

One of the iconic images from this year's World Cup will be a distraught Bassett, covering her face and overcome by emotion while being consoled by teammates, which is a reminder of just how true the old cliche "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" is.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

After the match, many lamented the Three Lionesses' heartbreak, including Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

Kristian Jack of TSN thought it was a particularly English way to lose:

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No one does World Cup heartbreak better than England. No one. Not even close.

— Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) July 2, 2015"

And former England international Gary Lineker felt awful for Bassett:

England proved in the match and tournament at large just how much quality they had, and Arlo White of NBC Sports thought they were truly unlucky to have not gone through to the final:

Indeed, while Japan controlled 58 percent of possession, England outshot them 15-7 (2-2 on goal) and earned four corners to Japan's three. Japan struck first, however, though not without controversy.

In the 31st minute, Saori Ariyoshi was fouled on the edge of the box by Claire Rafferty. Replays showed the contact began just before Ariyoshi was inside of the box, but much like the controversial penalty given the night before when the United States' Alex Morgan was fouled against Germany, the referee pointed to the spot. 

Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated thought the ref got that one wrong:

From there, Japanese star Aya Miyama calmly stepped up, took her time, sent English keeper Karen Bardsley the wrong way and slotted home in the lower left corner to give Japan the 1-0 lead.

That lead would last less than 10 minutes, however.

After a bit of a scramble on an England corner, Houghton appeared to be slightly clipped by a Japanese defender, though the English defender certainly embellished the contact. But the ref was convinced, and she pointed to the spot for the second time in the match.

Fara Williams took it from there, ripping her penalty past outstretched keeper Ayumi Kaihori and into the left corner of the net.

The quality of refereeing was once again one of the main storylines, and Wahl wasn't convinced Wednesday's official was on her game:

If nothing else, these semifinals may be remembered as the round of the penalty kick, as Paul Carr of ESPN tweeted:

The Three Lionesses came out absolutely buzzing in the second half, just missing the net on several occasions and even hitting the crossbar with a shot. They looked more likely to notch the game-winning goal than Japan, but tragedy struck in stoppage time. Bassett's deflection went into the net and gave Japan a win that was truly against the run of play.

England will now face Germany in the third-place game Saturday, while Japan will take on the United States in the final Sunday night. For the Japanese, Wednesday's game may serve as a bit of a wake-up call, as their performance against England won't hold up against an in-form U.S. squad that just beat Germany 2-0. 

On the other hand, the Japanese proved an old adage true Wednesday: It's better to be lucky than good.