Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Women's World Cup quarter-final clash between England Women and Canada Women.

It's a big night for the Lionesses as they are bidding to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history following their comeback victory over Norway in the round of 16.

Canada also face a big evening as they are looking to reach the last four of the tournament for the second time in their history, but will have a huge impetus to advance in front of their home crowd in Vancouver tonight.

The team news has been released and we'll start with the England team.

ENGLAND STARTING XI: Bardsley, Rafferty, Williams, Houghton, Bassett, J Scott, Carney, Moore, Bronze, Chapman, Taylor
Subs: A Scott, Nobbs, Aluko, Chamberlain, Greenwood, Stoney, Potter, Duggan, Sanderson, Telford, Kirby, White

CANADA STARTING XI: McLeod, Buchanan, Wilkinson, Belanger, Sesselmann, Scott, Sinclair, Schmidt, Tancredi, Chapman, Lawrence
Subs: Zurrer, Moscato, Gayle, Kyle, Matheson, Filigno, Fleming, Iaccelli, Leon, Nault, Nabbe, LeBlanc

England boss Mark Sampson has made two changes to his side from their win over Norway in the round of 16. Jodie Taylor and Jill Scott come into the starting lineup as Fran Kirby and Toni Duggan drop to the bench in Vancouver.

Meanwhile, Canada boss John Herdman has named an unchanged team for the match as Josee Belanger leads the line for the host nation at BC Place following her crucial strike in her side's victory over Switzerland in the last round.

The players are making their way out on to the pitch so we should be underway very shortly.

As we approach kickoff, a reminder that Sampson added some fire to the match by suggesting that Canada had advanced to the quarter-finals by being lucky.

Sampson told BBC Sport: "There's been a different Canadian team at this tournament. They've relied on some fortunate decisions and big individual moments. I'm not sure we've seen Canada score a really strong goal.

"We've got a qualified referee on our staff and looking back at their games he says the number of fouls awarded against them could have been quadrupled. I hope the referee realises there are 22 players on the pitch."

England are ranked above Canada in the world rankings ahead of the match as the Lionessess are sixth in the world, while the host nation are eighth in the world.

PREDICTION: This game will be very close, but the Lionesses may just have enough to edge the fixture to quieten the home crowd with a 1-0 victory to advance to the last four.

KICKOFF! We're underway in this quarter-final clash.

An early forray forward for Herdman's side as Bassett is forced to chase a long ball with Belanger bearing down on her, but she manages to get the ball back to Bardsley. However, the keeper's clearance is a poor one, although Canada cannot take advantage as Sinclair's loose pass is overhit and the Bardsley gathers.

A chance for Canada to threaten down the left as they win a free kick. Sesselmann lifts the ball high into the box, but Bardsley comes through a crowd of players to punch the ball to safety.

England have been unable to retain possession in the early stages as Carney has had the ball in two decent areas, but has given the ball away twice by trying to do too much with it.

CHANCE! Carney does well for the Lionesses down the left as she breaks into the box, but Buchanan gets back to win the ball at the vital moment to win the ball. Canada then break down the right and Sinclair hits a pinpoint pass for Tancredi at the back post, but after beating Bronze she loses her composure and fires over from close range.

Another chance to threaten for the host nation as Bronze brings down Lawrence down the left flank. Sesselmann hits the ball into the box, but her cross fails to beat the first defender and England clear.

England take the lead! A mistake by Sesselmann allows Taylor in through on goal and she takes an extra touch to take it round the last defender before firing a low effort into the bottom corner. A composed finish by Taylor and a goal completely against the run of play, but Sampson and England won't mind.

England double their lead and Canada are in a world trouble in the opening stages of this quarter-final match. England win a free kick and Williams lifts the ball to the back post for the run of Bronze, who outleaps Chapman in the air and guides her header over McLeod into the net. A great header from Bronze, wo scores again for the Lionesses following her heroics in the round of 16.

What a start for the Lionesses as they capitalised on mistakes at the back by Herdman's team and are now in command of this quarter-final showdown. Sampson will elated with his side's display at the moment.

CHANCE! Canada's delivery from set pieces in this match has been poor so far, but Schmidt puts a dangerous cross into the box for the head of Tancredi in the six-yard box. However, the forward can only guide her header over the bar from close range. Tancredi's not having the best of starts in this match.

CHANCE! Sinclair collects the ball on the edge of the box and tries to curl an effort into the bottom corner, but her strike doesn't have the bend and it sails past the post. Canada are getting chances and there is a long way to go in this match.

Sampson's side are trying to take advantage of Bronze's aerial ability every chance they get. Chapman takes her time over a corner into the box as she waits for Bronze to arrive from the back, but this time her header is cleared by the host nation.

Brief stoppage as Williams goes down for England clutching her ankle, but she appears to be ok to continue after treatment.

England work the ball down the left and Taylor continues to be a nuisance for Canada as she holds the ball in the final third. She plays the ball back to Bronze who clips it into the box and Chapman's flick takes the ball into the hands of McLeod.

OFF THE BAR! England come within inches of a third goal as a free kick is whipped into the box by Williams and Houghton rises highest in the box to guide a header at goal. However, her header clips the edge of the bar and bounces to safety, although McLeod looked to have the corner covered.

Canada are almost in down the right as Sesselmann plays the ball short to Wilkinson down the right. Her cross is dangerous as Sinclair latches on to it at the back post, but her header goes past the post.

Canada win their seventh free kick of the game, which highlights how poor some of the decisions have been so far in this match, but it allows them to win a corner as Sinclair fires the ball off Bassett.

Bardsley has to be aware at her near post as the corner from Schmidt curls in dangerously, but the keeper is there to punch the ball away. Nice idea by the midfielder, but the England keeper was just wise to it in the knick of time.

Carney gives the ball away in a dangerous position for the Lionesses and Schmidt decides to drill an effort at goal from distance, although her strike takes a huge deflection off Bassett and is easily gathered by Bardsley.

Canada are being a bit antsy at the moment as they are pressurising the referee after every foul. However, the referee has made a rod for her own back with the amount of free kicks she has given in the first half.

Canada get back into the match as Bardsley commits a huge error as she drops Lawrence's cross into the path of Sinclair, who is left with a simple finish from close range.

There will be one minute of added time.

England Women hold a 2-1 lead at the break thanks to strikes from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze. The Lionesses were presented with a dream start when Lauren Sesselmann slipped and allowed Taylor to break through on goal and fired Mark Sampson's team into the lead. Bronze doubled their advantage with a well-placed header minutes later for her second goal in two games. However, an error from Karen Bardsley before break gave Canada a way back into the match, leaving it well in the balance in the second half.

Worringly for Sampson Canada have looked a threat when they has pushed forward as the England defence has been pulled out of position at times. The host nation have also had a plethora of set pieces, which could be something to monitor as the game progresses. The Lionesses will have to address their use of the ball in the second half as they have hit long balls up for Taylor too often in the opening 45 minutes.

The players are making their way out on to the pitch for the second half, so we should be back underway shortly.

RESTART! We're back underway in this quarter-final showdown.

CHANCE! England advance down the right before Chapman switches play to the left flank for Carney. The winger takes a tough to get the ball out of her feet and curls an effort towards the top corner, but it sails just over.

England are going to have to make a change as Bardsley has gone down with a blow to her eye. It appears to be cut, and she probably not be able to see out of it, which has enforced the switch.

SUBSTITUTION: Siobhan Chamberlain replaces Bardsley in the England goal.

Canada threaten down the right as Sinclair breaks down the flank and then cuts back inside on to her left foot. She tries to pick out Tancredi at the back post, but England do just enough to get the ball away as Chapman clears.

CHANCE! England get a four-on-four as Carney breaks to the edge of the box and then feeds Taylor in the inside left channel. The forward cuts the ball back on to her right foot and bends an effort towards goal, but McLeod produces a fingertip to keep the ball out. A huge save from the keeper as the effort was creeping into the top corner.

From the resulting corner, England pile bodies into the box but as Scott wins the first header, the loose ball takes a fortunate bounce for the host nation and allows them to clear.

The game fluctuates from end-to-end, as both sides are getting a bit panicky at the back, but no clear cut-chances come from the defensive scrambles.

Carney collects the ball in the box and she tries to bring the ball under control, but is fouled by Wilkinson. The referee blows her whistle, but the England winger handled the ball as she tried to get it under her control.

CHANCE! Houghton gives the ball away on the edge of her own box as she tries to play the ball out and Tancredi has the chance to strike at goal. However, she dawdles on the ball and England manage to clear the danger.

YELLOW CARD! Jade Moore goes into the book for the Lionesses as she brings down Allysha Chapman on the edge of the box.

Sinclair takes the free kick and has the first opportunity to test Chamberlain, but she can only guide her strike from the edge of the box over the bar.

The free kick mararthon is back with a vengeance as referee Claudia Umpierrez awards Canada a free kick for a slight shove in the final third and then reciprocates for the Lionesses. At least she is consistent!

SUBSTITUTIONS: Tancredi is replaced by Leon, while Matheson replaces Wilkinson earlier for the home side.

Scott is wiped out by Chapman down the right for England and wins a free kick. Williams lifts the ball into the box, but her cross is far too close to McLeod, who claims the ball with ease.

England win a free kick right on the edge of the box as Carney is brought down by Matheson. A real opportunity for the Lionesses to threaten.

Houghton stands over the ball and drills her effort over the wall, but McLeod watches the ball all the way and makes a comfortable save.

SUBSTITUTION: Final change for Canada as Kaylyn Kyle replaces Desiree Scott.

Taylor makes an excellent down the left inside channel and she tries to thread the ball through to Scott down the right. However, Sesselmann reads the danger well and just manages to get her foot to the ball to make the clearance in time.

SUBSTITUTION: Williams comes off for the Lionesses and is replaces by Ellen White.

CHANCE! Leon weaves her way through several England defenders and bears down on goal in the six-yard box, but the Lionesses throw bodies in the way to prevent her from shooting and somehow manage to scramble the ball away.

CHANCE! Leon causes problems again down the left as her cross comes into the box. Schmidt gets across Houghton and smashes the ball with her left foot, but her effort goes wide of the target. A let off for England.

A long ball over the top finds Taylor in space down the left. She has not support and has a difficult attempt against the angle with a shot, but her effort goes wide without troubling McLeod.

Canada pile forward in numbers as Schmidt tries to fire an effort at goal from the edge of the box before Bassett gets a foot in. Buchanan tries to pick it up, but Moore comes in with another challenge to prevent the strike and England clear downfield once more.

Panic stations at the back for England as Houghton is forced to put the ball behind for a corner. The cross comes in from the right from Schmidt, but Sinclair's header goes wide of the target.

There will be five minutes of added time.

YELLOW CARD! Sesselmann gets away with a booking for obstructing Taylor as she would have been through on goal if not for the block. England still have a chance to threaten from the free kick.

SUBSTITUTION: Stoney replaces Carney for England.

Houghton fires over from the free kick and Canada still have two minutes left to get back into the game.

England Women advance to the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history as first-half strikes from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze are enough to guide them past Canada. The host nation put up a strong fight in the second halfg, but the Lionesses were resilient and held out for the win to advance and will now play Japan in the last four.

Canada bow out in the competition, but they gave a very good account of themsevles, but fell narrowly short this evening. Christine Sinclair's goal in the first half gave them hope of a comeback, but they couldn't breakhrough the England lines again and will now have to watch the remaining matches.

Thanks for joining our commentary this evening. Be sure to stick with Sports Mole for the rest of our coverage from the Women's World Cup. But from me, it's goodbye.