Stoney - It’s an incredible feeling

Casey Stoney says reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup is the best feeling of her career.

The England defender was an injury-time substitute as England beat Canada 2-1 at the weekend to set up a last-four fixture against reigning champions Japan on Wednesday evening.

Stoney - who also started the Lionesses’ final group game against Colombia - is delighted to take another step closer to the final, but revealed that she did not expect any less from Mark Sampson’s side.

“It was nerve-racking but at the same time I never had any seed of doubt because I knew this team was going to [beat Canada],” she said.

"We have 23 fantastic players here and we are stronger than we have ever been. It just shows you [our strength in depth] – Siobhan Chamberlain came on and played a massive part in the game.

"I was just thankful to be on the pitch, but even if I hadn’t have got on the pitch this is a real squad effort.

“It’s taken all of us to get here. I’m just so thankful and so proud of these girls for getting us over the line. It’s the best feeling I’ve ever felt in my career. [It was] incredible.”