Germany vs. England: Date, Time, Live Stream for 2015 Women's Soccer World Cup

Tom SunderlandJul 4, 2015

The chance at a maiden Women's World Cup final evaded England's grasp in an agonising 2-1 semi-final defeat to Japan, but the Lionesses can still make history in their third-place playoff against Germany on Saturday.

Mark Sampson's side have already gone further than ever in managing to make the final four of this year's tournament, but a podium finish may yet be achieved as a consolation prize.

Despite being the joint-most successful team in the Women's World Cup with two trophies to their name, this will be only Germany's second ever third-place playoff, having finished fourth in the inaugural 1991 contest.

Lionesses Playing For Pride

By definition, third-place playoff matches are a difficult fixture to undertake. Teams have already endured long campaigns and the prospect of playing on for anything but the top prize is difficult to feel enthusiastic about.

However, England very much still have something left to play for in Canada; win or lose, they know they come out of the 2015 Women's World Cup with their finest ever finish, but the desire doesn't end there.

Captain Steph Houghton has a larger burden than any other in motivating her troops for Saturday's consolation matchup, with morale undoubtedly damaged by Laura Bassett's 93rd-minute own goal against Japan.

But despite that most hurtful 2-1 defeat, the defender has sounded out England's women to take a major scalp against the Germans, who will undoubtedly enter the Edmonton tie as favourites, per the official FA website:

"
There’s no words to describe it really. The only thing I want to say is that I’m so proud of all the girls and staff and we’ve been on an amazing journey. There’s not been one player with any ounce of energy left out on that pitch, but that’s football and it can be cruel at times.
I think we can hold our heads high and we have to pick ourselves up to go and play against Germany. The squad has shown great character and a desire to win and a big passion to play for England. There’s a group of girls that give everything for the jersey and we have to take that into the game on Saturday. We want to finish third if we can.
"

Without doing a disservice to Germany's titans, there's a chance England may hold a mental ace in the hole this Saturday. Die Nationalelf have been to this stage time and again, whereas something more meaningful lies at stake for Sampson's women.

Silvia Neid's two-time Women's World Cup winners may appear favourites for the meeting, but the United States showed Germany are assuredly human following a 2-0 win in their semi-final, a result England now look to replicate.

England-Germany World Cup Rivalry

MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 30: Head coach Silvia Neid of Germany looks on against the United States in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Semi-Final Match at Olympic Stadium on June 30, 2015 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

With this year's competition being just the fourth time England have made it to the Women's World Cup finals, they and Germany haven't yet had a chance to build up the same rivalry shared by their male counterparts.

However, after coming into contact with Germany in two of their past three tournaments, the Lionesses have plenty of motivation to finally get one over on Neid's women.

England made it to the quarter-finals of the 1995 tournament, at which point they were ousted following a 3-0 defeat to Germany. They then drew 0-0 against their European enemies in the group stage of the 2007 contest.

That record would suggest Neid's side boast something of an attacking edge this weekend, with Goal.com's Liam Twomey suggesting his money will be on Germany to advance:

After such a spirited display against reigning world champions Japan, however, England have proven they can stand up to the elite, albeit with some lagging concerns.

The United States' tactic of absorbing pressure before unloading with a second-half assault proved to bear fruit, and although Sampson may not have the same weapons at his disposal, the aforementioned edge in motivation may prove a huge factor.