England Women's coach Mark Sampson has hailed Laura Bassett as an inspiration after her stoppage-time own goal condemned the Lionesses to a heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat to Japan.

Defender Bassett unluckily diverted Nahomi Kawasumi's cross past goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and into her own goal in the second minute of stoppage time to hand the defending champions a 2-1 victory in Edmonton.

First-half penalties from Japan captain Aya Miyama and England midfielder Fara Williams appeared to have left the tie heading for extra time - until Bassett's clearance went horribly wrong and ended England's quest to reach their first ever World Cup final.

Bassett burst into tears at the final whistle at the Commonwealth Stadium but Sampson insisted the 31-year-old Notts County defender could hold her head high.

"That woman has epitomised what this team is about and I mean that as a football player and as a person," he said.

"If Laura Bassett was your girlfriend, your wife, your daughter, your sister, your friend - you'd be a very lucky person to have Laura Bassett in your life.

"We're proud of her, she'll be proud of what she's done for this team tomorrow morning, the family will rally around her tonight and so will the team.

"Tomorrow morning some young girl in England who Bassett's never met in her life will pick up ball and say, 'Mum, I want to be Laura Bassett'."

England captain and Bassett's central defensive partner Steph Houghton echoed Sampson's view that Bassett is not to blame for the team's tournament exit.

"Laura's been outstanding this tournament and been a pleasure to play alongside," the Manchester City Women's defender said.

"No matter what anybody says or what's commented or reported it's without a doubt not her fault and it's a team game and that's what we always said from the beginning that we're all together.

"Many times she's stopped goals going in so my thoughts are to cheer her up and try and make sure she still feels very part of this team.

"She's a massive leader and a very, very good professional."

England's tournament is not yet over as they meet European champions Germany in the third-place play-off on Saturday night and Sampson has challenged his players to ensure they end their tournament on a high.

"Whatever happens now in my life, I'll always be the manager that managed the team at the World Cup," he added.

"If I was watching back at home, I'd want to support this team, I'd want to get behind this team.

"It's been a brilliant experience, we've got one more (game) to go, dust ourselves down, put our jersey on, let's put a shift in again."