Women's World Cup - England 2-1 Canada: Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze on target as Lionesses roar into semi-finals

England Women ended 25 years of hurt as their trailblazing run at the World Cup continues after a stirring win over hosts Canada.

Two first-half goals in four minutes from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze set up a semi-final with holders Japan on Wednesday.

Bobby Robson's entertaining England were the last team to reach the last four on the global stage in Italia 90 - and boss Mark Sampson was quick to praise the character of his side.

Following the final whistle, England players celebrate a famous victory over the hosts which sets up a semi-final against holders Japan

Casey Stoney and Steph Houghton run with delight written across their faces following the conclusion of a dramatic victory

Jodie Taylor is a picture of delight following her quite brilliant opening strike which gave England the perfect start to the game

Lucy Bronze met Fara Williams' free kick perfectly, sending a nonchalant looping header beyond the clutches of Erin McLeod

England players flock to Lucy Bronze (No 12) after her second goal in as many games put England in a commanding position

Christine Sinclair was quickest to react as Karen Bardsley palmed Ashley Lawrence's cross into the path of Canada's record scorer

Having won their first knockout game in history int he last 16 against Norway, England's run continued into the semi-finals

'What a show of resilience and character. We didn't play much football. Credit to Canada, they were outstanding,' he told the BBC.

'But 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.'

After winning their first game in the knockout phase with a victory against Norway, England seal a place in the last four for the first time in history. 

They were made to work hard for their victory by Canada, who were roared on by a partisan crowd in Vancouver. 

England weathered an early storm, with Melissa Tancredi blasting over after cutting inside following an incisive counter-attack.

It was a miss that Canada would rue soon after, with Portland Thorns striker Taylor pouncing on and punishing a slip from Lauren Sesselmann. 

In her first World Cup start, Taylor picked up the ball deep in the Canada half, turned a defender a rifled a shot past keeper Erin McLeod from the edge of the area.

Lucy Bronze, scorer of the winner against Norway, doubled the lead three minutes later.

The crowd were stunned into silence as Fara Williams' deep free-kick found Bronze at the far post.

Her looping, nonchalant header found the net via a deflection off the bar, beyond McLeaod's despairing dive.

It was the first time Canada had conceded more than one goal in 15 games, and they were rattled. 

Tancredi had her second gilt-edged chance, heading Sophie Schmidt's free-kick over, but England continued to press and remained a threat on set pieces. Indeed, they could have made it three midway though the half after Katie Chapman's header hit the bar.

Canada players look ruefully following the final whistle as the host nation crashed out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage

Fara Williams, who was at the heart of England's midfield, tackles Josee Belanger during a typically gutsy display

McLeod gets her fingertips on the ball to knock it away as Scott and Allysha Chapman look on during a thrilling encounter

Knowing they needed a goal before half-time, Canada forced their way back into the game through superstar Christine Sinclair.

Sinclair started the move, feeding Ashley Lawrence on the edge of the England area. She marched into the box, hitting a cross-cum-shot which was palmed away by Karen Bardsley, but only into the path of Sinclair.

Showing her famed goal poaching ability, she made no mistake from inside the six yard box, hitting her 155th goal from 228 appearances.

The scope of Mark Sampson's half-time team talk dramatically changed, the Lionesses went close through Karen Carney, who scored in group games against Mexico and Colombia, whose 25-yard effort sailed over.

England were forced into a 52nd-minute substitution, Siobhan Chamberlain making her first appearance of the tournament, after keeper Bardsley was forced off with a mystery eye injury. 

Canada's Allysha Chapman beats Jill Scott to a header as England threaten to impose themselves on the game

Two English managers, John Herdman (left) and Mark Sampson, shake hands ahead of a thrilling quarter-final

The Lionesses came close to restoring their two-goal advantage with Taylor forcing a fine one-handed save from McLeod.

At the other end, Steph Houghton's hesitation allowed Tancredi to steal in but Houghton's team-mates snuffed out the danger.

With nerves building, England were forced deeper into their own half as the game reached its finale, but they held on to seal a famous victory, which sets up an enticing tie with the holders in Edmonton.