Canada's Lauren Sesselmann hits back at critics after World Cup exit

Canada Lauren Sesselmann has rounded on her critics, branding them 'classless', following the hosts' weekend World Cup exit at the hands of England.

The Houston Dash player's early slip proved costly in the quarter-final match in Vancouver as Jodie Taylor gave England the lead before Lucy Bronze doubled the advantage minutes later.

Christine Sinclair pulled one back but it was not enough to prevent the Canada's elimination - or the torrent of abuse on social media for Sesselmann.

But the defender, who has 40 international caps, said: "Words cannot describe how utterly heartbroken I am. The tears have not stopped flowing and this one is going to hurt for a really, really long time. 

"Yes I slipped, yes they scored and yes you can blame me all you want. If that's what makes you feel better, fine. No one knows how hard I worked to get back from injury to be a part of this special team and make a difference. 

"I know my worth and I know all the great things I've done to help this team get here. For all you classless people with your negative comments and threats you know absolutely nothing.

"You can sit there and choose to focus on every negative and pick apart our team but you have no idea how much passion, heart and hard work this team puts in.

"Yes we aren't perfect and yes we all made mistakes, every great athlete makes mistakes. You even make mistakes, it's part of life but it's how you respond that matters, and we never stopped fighting. And I can promise you all this, we will be back and we will be better. 

"Thank you to my friends and family who always believe in me and pick me up when I fall. I am so proud to play alongside all of these beautiful and talented women."

England will play Japan in Wednesday’s semi-final in Edmonton after the defending champions secured a 1-0 win over Australia in their quarter-final.