England women’s under-17s were beaten 3-0 by Spain in the World Cup semi-final in Dominican Republic.

The Young Lionesses threatened for long spells of the game but were picked off by two goals either side of half-time before a late own goal finished off the contest.

Natalie Henderson presented Spain manager Kenio Gonzalo with flowers ahead of kick-off, paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in flooding in the country this week.

England started the game fast, able to get in behind Spain’s high line on more than one occasion.

Olivia Johnson fired wide having rounded the goalkeeper on eight minutes, though the offside flag was eventually raised, before Erica Parkinson shot over having cut back in on her right foot in the 18th minute.

The Young Lionesses continued to grow in confidence and Johnson came agonisingly close to a breakthrough just short of the half-hour mark, winning the ball back 25 yards out and hitting the face of the crossbar with an audacious lob that came so close to brilliantly opening the deadlock.

Moments later, Hope McSheffrey was called into serious action for the first time as a slick Spain move resulted in an effort from Irune Dorado that was well saved.

Spain came close again a couple of minutes out from half-time as McSheffrey and then Cecily Wellesley-Smith produced heroic blocks to keep out a couple of efforts from close range.

But England did fall behind just before half-time as Spain’s growth in the game was rewarded. Alba Cerrato had threatened already and converted a low cross to hand her side the lead heading into the break.

In the 58th minute, it was two. The Spaniards put together another neat move and Pau Comendador struck to double her side’s lead.

Natalie Henderson’s side were not prepared to throw the towel in, however. Johnson came close again as she forced a save with a curling left-footed effort before Parkinson had the keeper scrambling with an effort from distance.

The Young Lionesses continued to threaten a comeback, a teasing free-kick on 68 minutes causing concern in the Spain defence but Zara Shaw could only find the side-netting.

At the other end, an effort nearly spilled through the hands of McSheffrey only for the ball to bounce back off the crossbar.

The game became scrappy from there, with the Young Lionesses’ final chance falling to Shaw, who was smothered by the goalkeeper.

And Spain put the contest beyond any doubt in the eighth minute of stoppage time, with the ball ricocheting into the unfortunate Shaw for an own goal that made the score 3-0.

England will take on USA in the third-place play-off on Sunday.

England: 1 Hope McSheffrey (Arsenal), 2 Nelly Las (Leicester City), 3 Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa), 4 Laila Harbert (Arsenal), 5 Zara Shaw (Liverpool), 6 Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Arsenal/Oxford United), 7 Erica Parkinson (FC Valadares), 8 Omotara Junaid (Arsenal), 9 Olivia Johnson (Brighton & Hove Albion), 10 Vera Jones (Chelsea), 20 Jane Oboavwoduo (Manchester City)

Substitutes: 12 Sophie Harwood (Arsenal) for Oboavwoduo 85’, 19 Eva Gray (Arsenal) for Las 90+4’, 18 Isabella Fisher (Arsenal/Ipswich Town) for Jones 90+7’

Substitutes not used: 13 Rebekah Dowsett (Leicester City), 14 Emily Cassap (Sunderland), 15 Niamh Peacock (Arsenal), 16 Simone Sherwood (Leicester City), 21 Eva Spencer (Liverpool)