England battle like heroes but American class tells in the end

Karen Carney, who did more than anyone to try to rescue England's cause, sank to her knees in tears at the end and was consoled by coach Hope Powell. But in reality her team were utterly unable to live with the No 1 football nation in the women's game.

The match was put beyond doubt on the hour when goalkeeper Rachel Brown allowed the ball to bounce over her head and let veteran Kristine Lilly score the USA's third.

But by then the limitations of England's part-time team had already been cruelly exposed by the double former champions, who are fully professional and have spent the past six months in Los Angeles preparing exclusively for this tournament.

That attention to detail showed as England's main hope, striker Kelly Smith, who has scored four goal at this World Cup,was rarely able to impress as she was repeatedly closed down by a well-drilled American midfield.

And captain Faye White was unable to exert her usual influence after being elbowed in the face by Abby Wambach in the 37th minute. She went off with a bloody nose and though she quickly returned and battled on, her presence seemed diminished.

Powell said: 'We did get at them at certain times,but those 12 minutes were crucial. There were some goalkeeping errors which were costly but we truly believed we could come here and do a job.'

It had all started well enough, with England playing an extraordinarily disciplined first half that had the Americans frustrated and at times vulnerable.

England's midfield and defence held firm, while Eniola Aluko almost broke through for England on 20 minutes but was dispossessed before unleashing her shot.

Then Carney's long-range strike in the 27th minute was saved by Hope Solo.

England finally capitulated when a 48th-minute corner was met by a thundering header from Wambach, who was winning her 100th international cap.

Ten minutes later,Shannon Boxx won the ball on the edge of the area and struck a low shot that Brown saw late and failed to save.Then came the bitter end as Anita Asante failed to deal with a speculative long ball, allowing it to bounce in front of goal.

Brown misjudged its flight and US captain Lilly applied the coup de grace.