Mark Sampson hails Fran Kirby impact in England victory

Mark Sampson has described striker Fran Kirby as the nation's own Lionel Messi after her goal helped England Women to their first points of the World Cup.

The 21-year-old found the net 20 minutes from time to open the scoring against Mexico Women, in a match that the Three Lionesses went on to win 2-1 at the Moncton Stadium.

England boss Sampson was delighted to see his side get off the mark following their opening-game defeat against France Women, reserving special praise for Reading forward Kirby.

"We had to stay patient, we had to wait for our moment to score and then our little mini Messi, Fran Kirby, found a way to put the ball into the back of the net," he told BBC Sport.

England are now second in the Group F standings, with a crucial match against Colombia Women to come on Wednesday night.