All three goals came in the first-half as Christen Press justified her selection with the opener before Ellen White equalised for England nine minutes later at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Alex Morgan marked her 30th birthday in style as her header put the US back in front just after the half-hour mark in a match watched by a crowd of 53,512.

A dramatic second-half full of action followed as White's equaliser was ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) before Steph Houghton missed a penalty given by VAR shortly after.

England then had a player sent-off as Millie Bright was given her marching orders for a second yellow card.

The US, who lifted the World Cup in 2015, held on despite a sustained period of pressure to seal a place in Sunday's (July 7 final).

The American side, the number one team in the world, made a bright start and broke the deadlock when Press, a surprise replacement for Megan Rapinoe, headed home Kelley O'Hara's cross at the back post.

Their lead did not lost long, however, as White's deft finish from Beth Mead's perfect delivery into the box restored parity for England.

A frenetic first-half continued when Morgan scored from close range to restore the American team's advantage.

That proved to be the end of the scoring but it was far from the end of the drama as England went in search of another equaliser.

Phil Neville's team thought they had found it when White slotted home after she was expertly put through by Jill Scott's clever flick.

But the VAR intervened and correctly adjudged White to be offside and the goal was disallowed.

The VAR was again at the centre of proceedings 10 minutes later as England were awarded a penalty for a foul in the area on White after a long delay.

Captain Steph Houghton stepped up but her spot-kick lacked power or placement and was comfortably saved by American keeper Alyssa Naeher.

The second semi-final between The Netherlands and Sweden is due to be held in Lyon tomorrow.