EDMONTON -- Laura Bassett's own goal in the 92nd minute proved to be the heartbreaker as Japan punched its ticket through to the Women's World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday.

Fourth-ranked Japan, the defending champion from the 2011 World Cup in Germany and silver medallists at the 2012 London Olympics, will meet the United States in the gold medal match on Sunday in Vancouver.

It was actually the first time that Japan has defeated England in a major international tourney, losing 2-0 to England in the group stage at the 2011 Women's World Cup, Japan's last loss in the tournament.

Sixth-ranked England had a very good early opportunity, as Jodie Taylor shot just wide of the Japanese net and outstretched goalie Ayumi Kaihori in the opening minute.

Japan was awarded a penalty kick as English defender Claire Rafferty made a major mistake in shoving Saori Ariyoshi from behind on her way to the net. Aya Miyami took the penalty kick and made no mistake in scoring her second goal of the tournament at the 33rd minute to make it 1-0 for Japan.

However, England got a penalty kick call of its own soon afterwards in the 40th minute when Yuki Ogimi was flagged for impeding Steph Houghton -- a call that did not please the Japanese fans in attendance as Houghton appeared to have taken a dive on the play. Fara Williams took the shot and outguessed Kaihori to knot the game 1-1.

England came very close to taking the lead in the 63rd minute, but Toni Duggan rang a shot off of the crossbar. The Lionesses nearly struck again a couple of minutes later on a corner kick, but Jill Scott headed the ball just wide.

The game appeared to be headed to extra time, but a long Japanese cross in the 92nd minute hit Bassett's foot and deflected off the post and in, although it took the new goal-line technology to declare it a goal and give Japan the victory.

Japan has now won nine consecutive World Cup games dating back to 2011 and is the only team in this year's tournament to win all of its games outright.

The Canada World Cup marks the farthest the English women's team has ever advanced in the tourney.

England will remain in Edmonton to face Germany in the bronze medal game on Saturday.