Former Tranmere Rovers Ladies striker Jodie Taylor scored the opening goal in England's Women's World Cup quarter-final victory over Canada.

Jodie's 11th-minute strike got them off to the perfect start, and when Lucy Bronze doubled their advantage just three minutes later, they were in dreamland.

The game saw Jodie start for the first time in the competition so far and she made an instant impact before Lucy Bronze added a second to give England a 2-0 lead.

Canada did pull a goal back before half-time, but the Lionesses held on for a 2-1 win and they progress into the last four and a clash with reigning champions Japan on July 1.

Fresh from their first ever knockout win in this competition earlier this week against Norway, England, who have been beaten three times at the quarter-final stage, stunned John Herdman's side with two goals in three minutes.

Christine Sinclair pulled one back on the stroke of half-time following a rare mistake from goalkeeper Karen Bardsley but England defended resolutely to restrict Canada's chances in the second half.

The win, their fourth successive 2-1 victory, sets up a last four meeting with defending champions Japan, who defeated Australia 1-0 earlier in the day, in Edmonton.

It was a memorable performance from England, who had to weather a frenetic start from their opponents at a packed out stadium.

Buoyed by a boisterous atmosphere inside the BC Place, the hosts came storming out of the traps, with Melissa Tancredi having the first sight at goal when she wastefully fired over after cutting inside following a wonderful counter-attack.

It proved to be a costly miss as England took an 11th-minute lead very much against the run of play.

Last defender Lauren Sesselmann's slipped at the crucial moment, allowing Jodie through and the England forward took the ball to the edge of the area before firing across Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod with aplomb.

Jodie was born in Birkenhead and made her debut for Rovers in 2002 at the age of 15.

She currently plays for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League in America.