A midnight kick off sees England in the last four for the first time in history, facing Women’s World Cup holders Japan for a place in the final.
No fewer than eight Loughborough College names feature in the squad Manager Mark Sampson took to Canada.
The Lionesses’ first ever win in a knock-out game at any Women’s World Cup, against Norway, followed by a weekend 2-1 win against the hosts sealed a place for the team in the semi final in Edmonton tonight, into the early hours of Thursday (BST).
The England men’s team last reached the last four on the global stage in Italia 90.
On Sunday, two first-half goals in four minutes from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze against Canada were followed with the hosts pulling one back on the stroke of half time.
Mark Sampson said: “This team won't give in. We got ourselves through. I can't be any prouder of my players.
'Every single England player ran through brick walls. We knew how hard it would be. Every single one of them dug so deep to get us through.'
Steph Houghton, who graduated with a Sport degree from Loughborough College, and fellow defender Lucy Bronze scored the goals in Ottawa that saw off the Norwegians, giving the side the chance to go further than any previous England women’s team.
This is the first senior World Cup for former Loughborough College Sport students Jade Moore, Jordan Nobbs and Toni Duggan while fellow alumnus Ellen White is making her second appearance after featuring in 2011 and aluni Casey Stoney, Jill Scott and Karen Carney are all making their third, following appearances in 2007 and 2011.
Pictured: Loughborough College names Casey Stoney and Steph Houghton after England’s dramatic quarter final victory against hosts Canada in the Women’s World Cup