Vancouver: Early goals from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze gave England their first ever spot in the semi-finals at a Women's World Cup on Saturday with a 2-1 victory that dumped hosts Canada out of the tournament.

The enthusiastic cheers from the 54,027 crowd of largely Canadian flag-waving supporters in BC Place Stadium were silenced early when the hosts were two goals down after just 14 minutes.

'The Three Lionesses', who lost their opening group game to France, were gifted the opener after 11 minutes following a howler by defender Lauren Sesselmann who proved to be the weak link in Canada's back line.

The 23-year-old swiped at the ball, missed and fell over, allowing Taylor to pounce and race towards goal past the onrushing Canadian defenders to finish off.

Just three minutes later the hosts were in disarray as Bronze headed in a second, with the stunned Canadian players immediately gathering into a huddle to try and regroup.

But captain Christine Sinclair pulled one back three minutes before the break following a blunder by Karen Bardsley in the England goal.

Ashley Lawrence fired towards the near post, but Bardsley let the ball out of her grasp into the path of Sinclair, Canada's all time leading goal scorer, who made no mistake firing in her 155th international goal.

Bardsley was replaced five minutes after the break after her eye started swelling and was replaced by Siobhan Chamberlain for the first time in the England goal at the World Cup.

Forward Melissa Tancredi looked set to equalise for Canada on 62 minutes but lost time as she hesitated on front of goal before the ball was cleared.

And their were groans of despair from the crowd as Sophie Schmidt sent over on front of goal seven minutes from time.

England next play holders Japan in Wednesday's semi-final in Edmonton, after the defending champions beat Australia 1-0 earlier in the Commonwealth Stadium.

Former two-time winners Germany and the United States play the second semi-final in Ottawa on Tuesday.