ENGLAND did not win the Women’s World Cup on Saturday but it felt like it on a scorching afternoon in the western-most venue ever to stage a World Cup finals match.

There’s nothing we as a nation identify with more than a backs-against-the-wall, against-the-odd victory and this was manna from heaven for an ignorant mainstream who have suddenly latched onto a team they realise may be the real deal after all.

England manager, Mark Sampson reshuffled his pack again, starting with Jodie Taylor up front alone and dropping Toni Duggan and Fran Kirby. It looked like a defensive move and it certainly seemed like it at the start as Canada, roared on by another record attendance of 54,027, pinned England back. Christine Sinclair was finally playing like a woman who felt comfortable carrying the hopes of a nation. Her slalom from her own half which left three England defenders with turf burns was worthy of “olés.”

Yet, the game was then perhaps decided on two moments which Canada will always look back on with regret. Sinclair’s run fed Melissa Tancredi who cut inside her marker, and with only Bardsley to beat, fired wastefully over. Seconds later, defender Lauren Sesselmann slipped making a routine pass across her defensive line and let in Taylor who rounded a defender and drilled home unerringly into the far corner.

Just minutes after the first goal, a shell-shocked Canada fell asleep from a Fara Williams’s free kick. Lucy Bronze stole in at the far post to loop a gentle header over Erin McLeod, in off the crossbar. As England celebrated, the Canadian team huddled in unity. Such was the sheer unfairness of the situation, many locals in the crowd were convinced the goal had been disallowed until the PA tannoy confirmed their worst fears. England 2-0 Canada after 14 minutes.

It was a scarcely believable scoreline and it didn’t make any more sense as Canada continued to play all the football. Tancredi wasting another clear chance heading over from close range. Sampson continually urged his defenders to push up to the halfway line and not succumb to the national disease of sitting deep when ahead.

Yet England could not maintain possession and the hosts got the goal their play deserved just before half-time. So often the catalyst for Canada’s best moments in this World Cup, 20-year-old Ashley Lawrence turned Jade Moore inside out before hitting a weak shot which Karen Bardsley fell on but lost control of. As it slipped from her grasp like a bar or soap, Sinclair pounced whisking it away from her, before stabbing home her 155th international goal.

The second half was set up perfectly but in truth the game never hit the heights of the first. Regular watchers of our national teams have witnessed England frequently lead important matches, only to fall victim to a “hold on to what we have” mindset which always ends up in penalty disappointment at best.

Bardsley was replaced by Siobhan Chamberlain shortly into the half. “Shame, that means no more spills” quipped a Canadian woman behind me.
After Carney seized upon another defensive aberration, Taylor’s wonderful curling effort produced a stunning full-length save from McLeod. Those two continued to be England’s best players, Taylor the scourge of Canada’s backline panicked a shaky Sesselmann whenever she was in her vicinity. She alone was enough to give England an attacking threat which meant Canada could never build up a sustained period of pressure which ultimately preserved Chamberlain’s goal.

England’s delaying tactics were not pretty but professional and effective and in this world, history is written by the victors. England’s women’s team, belittled and ignored for so long are suddenly the toast of a success-starved nation. The 23 players will be wise to ignore the false prophets that will seek their attention in the next few days. After the hosts lie the holders, Japan, in what is almost certain to be a half-empty Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. A place in the final is within their reach but as the saying goes, no-one remembers beaten semi-finalists.

Unless you're English.