England's World Cup Defeat By USA Was The Most Watched TV Programme Of 2019

England's semi-final loss to USA in the Women's World Cup became the most watched television programme of 2019.

For any England fan Tuesday night would have brought a sense of deja vu, watching their football team go out of a World Cup semi-final for the second year in a row, and many did watch.

The Women's World Cup game between the Lionesses and USA attracted an incredible 11.7 million at peak and a peak share of 50.8% of the audience.

The audience also smashed the record for the most watched women's football game. The record has been set several times over this World Cup by England games.

The Lionesses' opening group game against Scotland was watched by 6.1 million, the last-16 clash with Cameroon was watched by 6.9 million and the 3-0 quarter-final win over Norway attracted an audience of 7.6 million.

Next the FA will be hoping that they can turn television viewers into match goers, both for England games and in the Women's Super League, with their next game after the World Cup a tie with Germany at Wembley.

On the night England came up the world champions and a team clearly in the mood to win a second title in a row, especially early on.

Phil Neville's side were put under pressure and often added to their own woes by giving the ball away. They had a good spell after Christen Press put USA ahead and equalised through Ellen White, adding her sixth of the tournament.

Alex Morgan put the three times World Cup winners back ahead around the half hour mark as Neville's side continued to show frailty at the back.

After half-time the Lionesses did improve and White had a goal disallowed before Steph Houghton missed a penalty, the third miss from the spot for the team in the tournament.

Ultimately the World Cup has ended in failure for the team, no matter what happens in the third place play-off on Sunday, but they have a lot to be proud of, including making people care.

Topics: 2019 World Cup, Football News, Phil Neville, England, Women's Football, Women's World Cup, World Cup, France, USA

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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