MIDWEEK saw elation, heartbreak and shock in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals.

It was always bound to be an exciting two nights of football and they certainly didn’t disappoint. World number ones Germany took on the second-ranked US.

It was expected to be a tight game, showcase a lot of talent and see one team squeeze to victory. Both teams had not looked their best during the competition thus far and it seemed like a match that would be based on who could sort themselves out and stay composed.

In the end, Germany fell apart and seemed nothing more than a scrappy shadow of their former selves.

Usually the experts in penalties, Germany found themselves having a chance to score from the spot in the 60th minute but Celia Sasic — who had six goals in five games before the miss — sent the ball wide left of the post and the score remained even.

Shortly afterwards though the referee pointed to the spot at the other end and US captain Carli Lloyd didn’t miss her chance to put them a goal up.

The US’s Kelly O’Hara who came on as a late substitution managed to grab another goal, sending the ball past the German keeper Nadine Angerer in the 84th minute to seal the US’s victory and send them into the coveted final.

With the US keeping a clean sheet it also meant that keeper Hope Solo has drawn level with the record for the number of clean sheets in a World Cup and she will no doubt be looking to break the record in the final.

It seemed like the referee was also going to have a big say in the second semi. Japan and England were both awarded penalties in their game by the New Zealand referee. But, unlike the Germans, both teams managed to score thanks to Japan’s Aya Miyama in the 32nd minute and England’s Fara Williams just eight minutes later.

As the board for added minutes was put up by the fourth official both teams and managers were readying themselves for 30 minutes of extra time.

But England, the over-achievers of the competition and underdogs in the last four, saw their dream come crashing down as Laura Bassett desperately tried to clear the ball and stop Japan from having a shot on goal. Instead of a clearance the ball dipped into the net sending Japan 2-1 up with only seconds left on the clock. If it had been an intentional goal it would have been spectacular in and of itself, but nevertheless it was a clearance the player had to try and make.

Regardless of their defeat and whether they win or lose against Germany in the match for third place, the England team should be immensely proud of their performances.

Whether there are the facilities and enough funding to handle a possible surge of young girls wanting to play the game is another matter but they have captured the attention of one of the biggest footballing nations and that is no easy feat.

Both teams will be desperate to finish on a high note but Germany will feel the need to win to restore some dignity.

I’m expecting Germany to triamph, after seeing England play them at Wembley, but not an easy win given their sometimes laboured performances in Canada.

The final between US and Japan will be a cracker to watch and, despite it being late on a Sunday night, I urge anybody that can to watch it. These two teams have history and they will not want to lose without one tough fight. Be prepared for extra time as the US team are strong defensively and Japan knows how to keep hold of possession well. A US win is the most likely outcome, especially as they are cheered by spectators that are very close to being a complete home crowd.