Laura Bassett deluged with love and support after catastrophic own goal for England

It would have been freakish and horrendous at any time, but for the goal to come in the dying seconds of injury time during a World Cup semi-final makes it a strong contender for the most heartbreaking own-goal ever scored.

But while Bassett was clearly devastated, efforts to console her began immediately - with team-mates surrounding her on the pitch just moments after the final whistle.

That touching moment of support was just the beginning, though.

As soon as the microphones turned to the players and coaching staff, they poured out their feelings of love and support for their comrade.

"When she goes home she will be a hero," declared defiant England coach Mark Sampson.

"There were moments in that game when she stood up, she stopped an incredible strike force.

"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 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.

""It was a horrible moment obviously for Laura but you can see the regard the team hold Laura in by their reaction. 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."

Via Twitter a former England Women's great Faye White, who missed the critical penalty in England's shoot-out defeat against France at the last World Cup four years ago, offered her sympathy.

Across social media there was a huge amount of support as well, from fans, media and former pros.

Only Japan's coach Norio Sasaki claimed that the goal was anything other than a fluke.

"The goal was a result of everyone pushing us on with their support and came from our determination to win," he said.