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After losing their opening game against France, England Women knew that only avoiding defeat against Mexico would give them a chance of progressing beyond the group stages. The big news before kick off was that Welsh manager Mark Sampson gave a first tournament start to Reading's Fran Kirby. Kirby had suffered from an illness in the run up to the opening game and was only fit enough to come on as a substitute.
Back to full health, Kirby put in the sort of performance which shows why at this present time she is the best professional footballer at Reading Football Club. After going close twice, she opened the scoring with a poacher's finish on 70 minutes.
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12 minutes later it looked like it was game over as a cleverly worked England move saw sub Karen Carney head home a cross from fellow sub Alex Greenwood. Despite an injury time goal from Mexico, there were no doubts that England deserved to win.
The official player of the match award was given to Kirby and in a post match interview Sampson described her as England's mini Messi. "Special players step up in special moments, there's more to come for her," said Sampson.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PHOTO: <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a> - player of the match after bagging against Mexico <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lionesses?src=hash">#Lionesses</a> <a href="http://t.co/Au2ZPx6qex">pic.twitter.com/Au2ZPx6qex</a></p>— England (@england) <a href="https://twitter.com/england/status/609874841626353664">June 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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At a time when Reading men's team can best be described as mediocre, the women's team should be a real source of pride for the club and no more than Kirby. Even taking away her Royals connections, her rise is a remarkable story and a testament to her character and hard work. Keep up the good work Fran, you're making everyone connected with Reading FC very proud!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's only <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a> leading the <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport">@BBCSport</a> headlines this morning! <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingFCWomen">@ReadingFCWomen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingFC">@ReadingFC</a> <a href="http://t.co/VvlNWd7Ux0">pic.twitter.com/VvlNWd7Ux0</a></p>— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingFC/status/610011867768094720">June 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Over the moon for <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a> going to be very tough for us to keep hold of her now <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash">#readingfc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvMEX?src=hash">#ENGvMEX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/playherforthemensteam?src=hash">#playherforthemensteam</a></p>— Danny Hayes (@dannyisaroyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/dannyisaroyal/status/609985413776850945">June 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Waking up to find a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash">#readingfc</a> player won England a World Cup game is a new one ;) congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a></p>— The Tilehurst End (@TheTilehurstEnd) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTilehurstEnd/status/609884810241306624">June 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">She's one of our own, she's one of our own, <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a>, she's one of our own! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReadingFC?src=hash">#ReadingFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG?src=hash">#ENG</a></p>— Will Jones (@WilliamOwain) <a href="https://twitter.com/WilliamOwain/status/609834557609746432">June 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a strike from <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a> tonight! Proud of our Royal Lioness <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash">#readingfc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/urzzz?src=hash">#urzzz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingFC">@ReadingFC</a></p>— Sam Michael (@SamMichael1988) <a href="https://twitter.com/SamMichael1988/status/609872774358765568">June 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Definitely a new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash">#readingfc</a> legend - <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a>. Down to earth, really talented, World Cup goalscorer, loyal and actually born in Reading!</p>— James (@Jamesyboy78) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jamesyboy78/status/609858753807155200">June 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fran Kirby - giving <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReadingFC?src=hash">#ReadingFC</a> fans something to be proud of.</p>— Pippa Rouse (@PippaRouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/PippaRouse/status/609853521513607168">June 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BBC coverage has turned into the <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a> show! Quite right too. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReadingFCWomen?src=hash">#ReadingFCWomen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash">#readingfc</a></p>— Andy Charman (@AndyRFCCharman) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyRFCCharman/status/609843438633283585">June 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Go <a href="https://twitter.com/FranKirbyy">@FranKirbyy</a> something to be proud of being a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash">#readingfc</a> real inspiration</p>— Tom Strudley (@TomStrudley) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomStrudley/status/609842710967681025">June 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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