Fara Williams slotted a 108th-minute penalty as England Women finished their World Cup campaign on a high by beating Germany Women 1-0 in tonight's third-place playoff.

Mark Sampson's side had unfinished business in Edmonton after Laura Bassett's last-minute own goal this week denied the Lionesses a place in the final.

However, Williams was on hand with 12 minutes remaining in extra time to convert a spot-kick as England salvaged professional pride in an overall encouraging visit to Canada.

Silva Neid's side had the first opportunity of the game when a cross came in from the left and Lena Petermann headed at goal, but Karen Bardsley tipped her effort past the post.

Germany pressed forward again as Sara Dabritz collected a loose ball inside the penalty area and her shot beat Bardsley, but somehow Steph Houghton managed to hook the ball off the line.

The Lionesses should have taken the lead when Lucy Bronze raided down the right flank and cut the ball back into the middle for Houghton, but the skipper scuffed her effort straight at Nadine Angerer.

In the second half, Germany pressed immediately and Bardsley was forced to make a fine save to keep the scores level as Celia Sasic lifted a dangerous cross into the box for Dabritz, but she was denied by the keeper.

From the resulting corner, Tabea Kemme had the chance to fire her side into the lead by Alex Greenwood and Karen Carney both made excellent blocks before the Lionesses managed to scramble the ball away.

England threatened from a corner as Greenwood lifted a pinpoint cross into the box which saw Houghton rise highest in the area, but she could only direct her header wide of the post.

Kemme went on a weaving run as she beat several England defenders before rifling an effort at goal, but her strike went inches past the post.

Jill Scott should have put the Lionesses ahead when she received the ball inside the box with only Angerer to beat, but she dallied on the ball and the keeper was able to save her scuffed effort. Carney collected the ball on the rebound, but her cross to the back post went out for a goal kick.

Houghton had an opportunity to head England ahead in the early stages of extra time, but her tame header was straight at Angerer yet again.

However, it was a sign of things to come as they were awarded a penalty when Kemme was adjudged to have fouled Lianne Sanderson in the box, and Williams made no mistake from the spot.

The Germans looked certain to force a penalty shootout when Bianca Schmidt rose to meet Alexandra Popp's cross, but the defender headed wide from six yards as England hung on.