Hosts England Under-23s had to settle for a creditable second place at the Nordic Tournament – despite finishing their campaign unbeaten and with a fine win over the USA.
The Young Lionesses had already drawn 1-1 draw with Norway and beaten Sweden 1-0, before taking on one of the global superpowers of the women's game at St. George's Park.
England 1-1 USA
England win on pens
Nordic Tournament
St. George's Park
Tuesday 7 June 2016
Lydia Bedford's side fell behind but hit back in the last minute through Chelsea midfielder Beth England, who scored her second goal of the tournament.
England then held their nerve to prevail in the penalty shootout, but while they finished the tournament level on points with the USA, they missed out on the title on goals scored.
England (4-2-3-1): 1 Lizzie Durack (Harvard University); 16 Jess Carter (Birmingham City), 5 Abbie McManus (Manchester City), 6 Aoife Mannion (Birmingham City), 3 Paige Williams (Brescia); 8 Jade Bailey (Chelsea), 4 Millie Bright (captain; Chelsea); 7 Rosella Ayane (Bristol City on loan from Chelsea), 10 Beth England (Chelsea), 11 Melissa Lawley (Birmingham City); 9 Claudia Walker (Everton).
Substitutes: 18 Jodie Brett (Bristol City on loan from Chelsea) for Bailey 45; 20 Katie Zelem (Liverpool) for Ayane 45; 15 Molly Bartrip (Reading) for McManus 78; 19 Millie Farrow (Bristol City on loan from Chelsea) for Lawley 78.
Substitutes not used: 12 Taome Oliver (Notts County), 13 Sophie Baggaley (Birmingham City), 14 Millie Turner (Everton).
Goals: Beth England 90.
Head coach: Lydia Bedford.
Referee: Neil Pratt (England).
