The soccer starlets and their fellow Lionesses roared through to the global competition's last four after beating Japan 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out. The quarter-final encounter had to be settled from 12yards after the teams drew 2-2 in open play.

And Lucy S played a huge part in the triumph, scoring England's first goal on the stroke of half-time.

The victory was no meant feat against a Japan side who had fired 17 goals in their opening three matches of the tournament.

And it was Japan, the only team in the competition with a 100 per cent record, who took the lead on eight minutes through Chinatsu Kira.

But England, despite being outplayed for much of the first period, went in to the break level thanks to Staniforth's strike.

The Three Lions were much improved in the second-half but Japan looked like they had snatched the victory when Mana Iwabuchi put the Asian side 2-1 up.

But, a 40-yard thunderbolt from England's Isobel Christiansen deep in to added time levelled the scores.

Extra time failed to yield a winner, so the game went to penalties, where Lauren Davey and Gemma Bonner emerged as England's heroines, the former saving from Natsumi Kameoka and the latter firing home a superb winning kick.

England now face North Korea in the semi-final. And with Germany taking on USA in the other semi-final, it gives every chance of a mouthwatering England-Germany final.

England coach Lois Fidler told FIFA.com: "Japan have some fantastic players, they're a great young side, and I'm sure some of those Japanese names will be stars of the future.

"But credit to our players for sticking to their task and showing fantastic character. These players have had some experience of penalty shoot-outs and it's something we've practised every day since coming here. I'm glad it's been time well spent."

England play North Korea at 3am on Thursday morning.

Visit our website on Thursday to see if the Lucys managed to reach the first ever U17 Women's World Cup Final.

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