Fara Williams struck an extra-time winner from the penalty spot as England defeated Germany 1-0 to claim third place in the Women's World Cup on Saturday. The Lionesses gained some consolation for their heartbreaking loss to Japan in the semi-final as they produced a gritty display to beat the twice world champions for the first time.
A fiercely competitive game, scoreless after 90 minutes, was decided three minutes into the second period of extra time when England sub Lianne Sanderson was pulled down in the box by Tabea Kemme and Williams coolly slotted home. The third place finish, behind United States and Japan who meet in the final on Sunday, is the best by an England team at a women's World Cup.
It also marks the best finish by an England team of either gender since the men's team won the World Cup in 1966.