England hold on for vital win over Mexico

Goals from Fran Kirby and Karen Carney secured a 2-1 victory for England over Mexico.

England started slowly, as did Mexico, but towards the end of the half started to dominate the game. For the most part, England's shots were underhit and easily saved, but Eniola Aluko hit the top corner of the woodwork with a shot from the edge of the box.

Mexico came closest when Kenti Robles looped a volley towards goal, and Fara Williams also fizzed a shot just over the bar from 40 yards.

In the second half, England continued to press, with Aluko almost squeezing in a shot at the near post, but Monica Ocampo almost scored for Mexico directly from a corner.

Fran Kirby broke the deadlock when she picked up the ball outside the box, beat two defenders and rolled a shot past the 'keeper. She almost had her and England's second when a curling effort to the far post was tipped away. It was Karen Carney who sealed victory, heading in from Alex Greenwood's cross to the back post.

England continued to attack despite having the game secure, and Fabiola Ibarra scared the English with a late goal to halve the deficit, but England held on for victory.

18' - ROBLES VOLLEY - Robles aims a looping volley at goal from the edge of the box, but it's caught easily enough.

29' - SANTIAGO SAVE - Aluko receives the ball in the box, turns left, then back right to tee up Kirby, and she shoots straight at the 'keeper.

34' - WILLIAMS SHOT - Williams tries a shot from 40 yards, with space to do so, and it's just a yard over the bar. The 'keeper had it covered.

59' - SANTIAGO SHOT - Greenwood is on the end of a great ball down the left, she slides a pass inside for Aluko, who takes a few touches to get steady, but he shot at the near post is saved by Santiago.

66' - OCAMPO HITS THE BAR - A Mexico corner by Ocampo is swung straight against the crossbar, grazing Bardsley's fingertips.

70' - GOAL! England 1-0 Mexico. Kirby scores - She picks up a loose ball, jinks past two defenders as she runs into the box, and toe pokes a shot against the post and in.

80' - KIRBY SHOT - Kirby has the ball on the left of the box. She cuts inside onto her right and into the box, and tries to curl a shot to the far post which is excellently turned away.

82' - GOAL! England 2-0 Mexico. Carney scores - England have a second, and that should be the end of the match. Greenwood stands up a cross to the back post, and Carney beats her marker to head home.

90+1' - GOAL! England 2-1 Mexico. Ibarra scores - Alex Scott has a shot blocked, and the Mexicans break with Corral, who fires in a low shot that bounces off Bardsley, into the path of Ibarra, who finishes from a few yards out.

England require a victory over Columbia to be certain of qualifying to the knockout stages.

England dominated possession in the first half, with 58% of the ball.

This was Mark Sampson's first victory at the Women's World Cup.

Has Alex Greenwood played her way into a starting position? The other players in the side may have had an off day, but Greenwood's passing and pace from the left wing opened up Mexico more effectively than anyone else had.

Alex Greenwood (England): While only a substitute, her effect on the match was vital. Her passing is more subtle than anything else on offer from the rest of her colleagues, and if she can stay fit she could be instrumental for England who struggle to break down the most sophisticated defences.

England: Bardsley 5, Bronze 6, Houghton 6, Bassett 6, Rafferty 6, Williams 7, J Scott 6, Moore 6, Kirby 7, Aluko 5, Duggan 5. Subs: Greenwood 7, Carney 7, A Scott 6.

Mexico: Santiago 5, Robles 6, Garciamendez 6, Ruiz 6, Rangel 6, Corral 5, Mayor 6, Ocampo 6, Sierra 5, V. Perez 6, Cuellar 6. Subs: Miranda 6, Sanchez 6, Ibarra 7.