England defender Laura Bassett (right) has thanked her team-mates for their support after her stoppage-time own goal ended the Lionnesses’ World Cup dream on Wednesday night.

Bassett was left in floods of tears after her goal condemned England to a 2-1 semi-final defeat against Japan, although she was expected to start last night’s third-place play-off against Germany.

Speaking to the BBC in her first interview since the Japan match, Bassett said: “I have to say a big, big thank you to my team-mates. We’ve come on a long journey.

“The togetherness we’ve created and team spirit hasn’t just happened overnight. It’s been a long journey for all of us. It’s been overwhelming.

“I’d change (the ending) in a heartbeat if I could.”

The images of Bassett crying on the pitch brought an outpouring of support – while also bringing comparisons to the teary images of Paul Gascoigne after he was booked to earn a suspension when the England men reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1990.

Bassett admitted she is not known for showing emotion but could not control it at the final whistle.

“Some people have said I kind of lack emotion and nine out of 10 times I’d agree with that,” the 31-year-old Notts County defender said.

“Something took over me, I was out of control. I just wanted to get off there, I just wanted to cry and be on my own.”