Rapinoe's free-kick five minutes into this quarter-final evaded a sea of bodies in the box on its way into the net to stun the home crowd at the Parc des Princes.

The USA then soaked up pressure before delivering the knockout blow midway through the second half when Rapinoe turned in Tobin Heath's centre, although Wendie Renard pulled a goal back late on for France to set up a tense finish.

Jill Ellis's team held on and they go through to a semi-final against England in Lyon next Tuesday as they seek to retain their crown and win a fourth World Cup in eight editions.

Former England international David Beckham was among the crowd at the Stade Oceane to see midfield stalwart Jill Scott open the scoring inside three minutes of this quarter-final, becoming just the second English player to score at three separate women's World Cups.

Ellen White grabbed her fifth goal of the tournament five minutes prior to half-time and Bronze made sure of the victory with a rising shot high into the net as the hour mark approached.

England were so comfortable towards the end that they could even afford to squander a penalty, Nikita Parris having her late spot-kick saved.

With three out of five representatives reaching the knockout stage, it was a tournament of much promise, but three losses in four days to European opposition meant that, for the first time in history, the quarter-final draw is without an Asian side.

As the dust settles on the Continent’s campaign at France 2019, the-AFC.com reviews the campaigns of each of the five participants.

The Steel Roses performed better then the 2-0 scoreline might have suggested at Stade de la Mosson, but an inability to convert scoring opportunities remained their Achilles heel as they were eliminated from the competition having scored just one goal in four matches.

Jia steered China through a difficult group featuring Germany, Spain and South Africa, but their exit in the first knockout round is the nation’s worst FIFA Women’s World Cup result when appearing at the Finals.

Tuesday’s performance at Roazhon Park was Japan’s best in France, as a team dominated by players appearing on the world stage for the first time produced the sort of sparkling football for which the Nadeshiko have become universally admired.

But, for all their efforts, including a fabulous display from Mana Iwabuchi, it ended in tears for the Asian champions, as captain Saki Kumagai was penalised for blocking a rushed Vivianne Miedema shot with her arm, paving the way for Martens to deal the decisive blow from 12 yards in a 2-1 win.

Long-time team manager Nualphan Lamsam has also stepped away from her involvement from the team, ending a 12-year tenure at the helm of the women’s national team programme.

The duo has overseen a period of unprecedented success for the Chaba Kaew, who defied expectations to qualify for two successive editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup – the only trips to global Finals in Thai senior football history.

The Matildas rode their luck for much of the tournament in France, but it ran out in dramatic fashion against Norway, as Ante Milicic’s side fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat following a gruelling 1-1 draw.

Both sides had their share of scoring opportunities at Stade de Nice, but Australia’s failure to take any of several early chances, including a narrow Sam Kerr miss within the opening minute, ultimately proved costly.