Yet, there was still a chance to make some more history as the team prepared themselves for a 3rd place playoff against the mighty force Germany, ranked 1st in the world. Even more daunting is the fact the Lionesses had not beaten two-time World Cup winners Germany in 20 attempts, so nerves were running high.
The game remained goalless for the full 90 minutes, although there was opportunity for Germany to score 3 times within the first 10 minutes. It took an impressive goal line clear by captain Steph Houghton to prevent the tournaments top goal scorer Celia Sasic from leading the European champions. Houghton had the best opening of the first half but mistimed her shot from seven yards. There was also a strong penalty appeal as Kemme appeared to block Potter's shot with her hand. England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley made some superb saves, protected England from a Sara Daebritz's header.
The game dragged on into extra time, then England were sent a blessing. In the second period of extra time, England were rewarded with a spot kick after substitute Lianne Sanderson was brought down by Tabea Kemme. Fara Williams, who is England's record cap holder, beat retiring German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer for her third penalty of the tournament and gave the lionesses the lead.
When the whistle blew, England sunk to the turf and celebrated as they most certainly deserved to do after a phenomenal World Cup campaign in which the ladies created history with a performance that was the second best by an England senior team following the 1966 win by the men's side and eclipsed the 1990 men's team, who finished fourth in Italy.
Coach Mark Sampson regarded that he had always believed the girls to be legends and so they are. This World Cup journey has inspired a generation of girls to tie up their football boots and aspire to achieve what just half a century ago would not be possible. Former England international Rachel Yankey on BBC Three describe the campaign: "I don't think anyone believed they would go the full seven matches. They so nearly went to the final. It is amazing but these players believed. They created history."
This tournament has shed a new light on Women's football as a nation learnt of the new pride. I personally have been quite emotional seeing the women I admire do the unthinkable and make the game I love creditable to all those who doubted the female game. Kelly Simmons, the Football Association's director of women's football, summed up perfectly England's 2015 World Cup journey in saying that the tournament has led England to 'fall in love with the Lionesses'.
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