Who is Laura Bassett? Support floods in for defender after injury-time own goal knocks England out of World Cup

"When she goes home she will be a hero," declared a defiant Sampson to reporters. "There were moments in that game when she stood up, she stopped an incredible strike force.

• Women's World Cup: England lose to Japan - in pictures

"Laura Bassett, without a shadow of doubt will go home a hero but we will be there for her. We will stay together and stay strong - this team are friends for life now,"

The cruel loss ended what had been a magical run for England, who dropped their opener to France then steam-rolled their way into the last four, winning their next four matches and millions of fans along the way.

Their fighting spirit was on display with quarter-final win over host Canada and again on Wednesday after going down a goal to the defending champions and battling back with an equaliser.

"The way Laura Bassett has played in this tournament, she has epitomised all the values that England football fans want to see in that white jersey," added Sampson. "She is hurting now but she will wake up, she will have 22 team-mates, a group of staff who will give her a hug, tell her how proud we are of her and we will do the same to the whole group."

That is so brutal. Bassett own goal. Been one of England's best players. Absolutely sickening way to go out.

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) July 2, 2015

Bassett had been at the heart of an England defence which had ensured their goalkeeper Karen Bardsley had little work to do against an attacking Japanese side.

"It was a horrible moment obviously for Laura but you can see the regard the team hold Laura in by their reaction," continued Sampson. "Every single member of my group is devastated, when that ball went over the line we were devastated.

"But our first point of call is 'look after your own'. Laura is one of us, she is one of our team, we get around her, we console her and we tell her how proud we are of her, because without her we wouldn't be in that semi-final.

Rather than anger or recrimination, tributes have flooded in for the Lionesses, with Bassett the main focus.

Faye White, who missed the decisive penalty in England's shoot-out defeat to France in the 2011 tournament, wrote on Twitter:

Have felt pain like that and wouldn't wish it on anyone. The margins at the top are so small. We win and lose as a TEAM. #ENG

— Faye White (@faye_white) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 you have been immense. A true rock and put in performances you can be so proud of.#Holdyourheadup Your a true pro & we ?? you

— Faye White (@faye_white) July 2, 2015

Now we just need a small % of TV audiences watching #ENG to support with their feet & go out to @FAWSL games! Support the players & teams!

— Faye White (@faye_white) July 2, 2015

Former Gunners team-mate Kelly Smith echoed White's thoughts and wrote:

@laurabassett6 Hold your head up high girl. You have lead by example and been IMMENSE all tournament. We ?? you.

— Kelly Smith (@kelly_smith10) July 2, 2015

England's performance found favour beyond their home shores, with United States greats Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain impressed as they watched to discover their country's opponents in Sunday's final.

Chastain, scorer of the winning penalty in the 1999 final shootout against China, tweeted:

Dear @laurabassett6 You've been amazing. UR fight&determination are your true character.I know the pain of an own goal but it won't define U

— Brandi Chastain (@brandichastain) July 2, 2015

@AlexStone7 #WomensWorldCup Dear Lionesses you've done England, women's soccer&yourselves proud. Keep your heads up&walk tall. #England6

— Brandi Chastain (@brandichastain) July 2, 2015

Hamm, who played and scored for the US at four separate World Cups - winning two - added:

Watching the post match interviews by the England players & coach. Pure class. You represent yourselves and your country brilliantly.thank u

— Mia Hamm (@MiaHamm) July 2, 2015

Support also came from the men's game, with former US striker Landon Donovan tweeting:

Absolutely devastated for @laurabassett6 We all make mistakes and I hope she doesn't let this define her.

— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) July 2, 2015

Hull forward Sone Aluko, who was at the game to support an England squad featuring his sister Eni, told The Offside Rule podcast: "At the end I feel sick for Bass that she scored the own goal, but that's football. It's tough to take.

"From the group stages to now, everyone at home's got behind them and the viewing numbers have grown. The quality in the team is growing and it'll inspire a lot of girls to go on and play football."

Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge wrote:

@england ladies you made everyone proud of you. Hold your heads up high because you're all stars. #Lionesses

— Daniel Sturridge (@D_Sturridge) July 2, 2015

Kelly Simmons, the Football Association's Director of Women's Football, hopes the tournament represents a breakthrough despite its sad end.

Heartbreaking way to finish. So proud of the #lionesses. Painful now but a legacy of new fans and more girls inspired to play

— Kelly Simmons (@KellySimmo1) July 2, 2015

Japanese fans celebrated but some actually shed tears of sympathy over Bassett's stoppage-time own goal.

"It's not the prettiest way (to win) but they never give up," said surfing instructor Takumi Hayashi, who was watching at a Tokyo sports bar. "It was a lucky goal but a win's a win."

Bassett was in floods of tears after the final whistle and had to be consoled by Sampson as she walked off the field.

Sara Shimane, a 35-year-old composer who was also watching at the sports bar, said Japan's victory was tinged with sadness.

"I felt so bad for the England player who scored the own goal I started crying," she said.

The feelings of sympathy for the unlucky Bassett were echoed on social media.

"I cried when I saw coach Sampson hugging Bassett. I'm happy Nadeshiko won, but England were strong and amazing too," tweeted @orangebb45.