France 1 England 1: Powell considers future following exit in shoot-out

Hope Powell conceded her time as England coach may have come to an end after her side’s heartbreaking Women’s World Cup exit in Leverkusen.

Penalties again proved to be England’s downfall on the big stage, with Powell’s side losing to France at the quarter-final stage after a 1-1 draw in normal and extra time.

Captain Faye White missed the crucial penalty and it could prove to be the last kick of Powell’s 13-year tenure.

She is not planning on turning her back on the game, though, and would be open to taking on a more widespread role within the Football Association.

“If the opportunity presented itself, yes, undoubtedly,” she said.

“If I’m honest, I think within the FA we’re looking at something that will come to fruition.

“We’ll have to wait and see. The most important thing is that I want to be in women’s football, preferably in England, and the girls in this squad coming through have a lot of talent.

“There’s more to come and I think we’ve proved it. We just want that to continue.”

England had taken an early lead in the shoot-out when Karen Bardsley saved Camille Abily’s spot-kick, but misses from Claire Rafferty and White sealed an all-too-predictable fate.

“Extra-time, we just hung on for penalties at the end,” said Powell said. “And unfortunately, again, England get knocked out on penalties. How boring is that?”

Powell’s team almost overcame France at the BayArena thanks to another moment of brilliance from Jill Scott, who followed her great effort against Japan by netting a tremendous lofted goal in the 58th minute.

However, France fought back and finally got just reward for their incessant pressure through Elise Bussaglia’s fantastic first-time curled effort three minutes from time.

Heading into the game, Powell recalled captain Faye White, Fara Williams and Rachel Yankey to the starting line-up, while France started reserve goalkeeper Celine Deville due to Berangere Sapowicz’s suspension.

Deville’s nerves were evident from the offset and England came close to scoring within the opening 20 seconds.

Kelly Smith met Karen Carney’s through-ball and rounded Deville only to see her goalbound effort blocked by Sabrina Viguier.

After failing to net from the resulting corner, England’s blazing start was subdued somewhat by a long-range effort from Camille Abily and then an early yellow card to Williams for catching Goetane Thiney.

The exchanges that followed were relatively equal, with England pressing well and France impressing with a fast tempo.

However, France soon unleashed barrage upon barrage of attacks and Thiney forced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley to save well with a fierce 20-yard drive in the 25th minute.

Four minutes later, Faye White was forced to block a Marie-Laure Delie effort, before Louisa Necib hit the back stanchion with a curling right-footed shot from the resulting corner.

Bardsley was forced to tip over a floating free-kick from Necib as half-time approached and captain Sandrine Soubeyrand soon hit a hopeful effort just wide as the French upped the ante.

The second half started in much the same vein, with Necib, Thiney and Delie all going close for France.

Despite the pressure, England broke the deadlock against the run of play through Scott after she hit her shot over the hapless Deville.

French heads seemed to drop after conceding, although they continued to pepper the England goal as Necib almost struck a 35-yard free-kick past Bardsley and Elodie Thomis went close.

Five minutes from time, the substitute forced Bardsley to save at the near post, and Ellen White headed off the line from Laure Lepailleur.

However, France were not to be denied as Bussaglia curled home a left-footed shot off the inside of the post.

The equaliser took the match into extra-time, which Smith was forced to spend as a passenger due to injury and with England having already used their full compliment of substitutions.

Ellen White’s blasted shot into the side netting was the only moment of note in the first period, while the second period was punctuated by further knocks to England players rather than clear-cut chances.

The match went to penalties where England slipped up once again. Despite Bardsley saving Abily’s penalty, Rafferty dragged her penalty wide and White smashed the crossbar.

France: Deville, Viguier, Georges, Lepailleur, Soubeyrand (Thomis 67), Bompastor, Abily, Necib (Bretigny 79), Bussaglia, Thiney, Delie, Bretigny (Le Sommer 106). Unused: Philippe, Renard, Boulleau, Meilleroux, Franco, Pizzala.

England: Bardsley, Alex Scott (Houghton 81), Stoney, Faye White, Unitt (Rafferty 81),Carney, Jill Scott, Williams, Yankey (Asante 84), Smith, Ellen White. Unused: Brown, Chamberlain,Clarke, Aluko, Bradley, Bassett, Susi.

Referee: J Palmqvist (Sweden).