MONCTON (Canada), June 14 — Fran Kirby and Karen Carney rekindled England’s World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Mexico at the women’s tournament yesterday.

Mark Sampson’s side desperately needed a win in their Group F tie after losing their opening match to France 1-0 in Moncton.

But the three-time quarter-finalists got back on track in New Brunswick when Kirby, dubbed ‘our mini Messi’ by Sampson, fired past Mexican goalie Cecilia Santiago on 71 minutes for her third international goal.

Mexico coach Leonardo Cuellar admitted England’s second-half substitutes Carney and Alex Greenwood changed the face of the game.

“England started to be better,” he said.

“When their substitutions were made we took time to adjust and were in a deep hole. Now we have a game which is life and death against France.

“France are a candidate to be world champions and we’ll have to have a perfect match. Colombia and France was a very decisive game.”

France suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Colombia in their second group game.

“We have an opportunity. It’s a very remote one but I think we have been missing some details and we know what we have to work on,” added the Mexico coach.

England’s first goal of the tournament ignited the ‘Three Lionesses’ with substitute Carney heading in the second off a pinpoint Alex Greenwood cross eight minutes from time.

“This is an important result from Team England,” said Sampson.

“We got a lot of stick after the France game. The players had to handle extra pressure knowing that with a loss we would have been on our way home.

“We were fully aware of the France-Colombia result and knew it was an important day for England.

“We knew Mexico would be difficult to break down. It was about building momentum and getting three points.”

The Welsh coach added: “I’m not only pleased with the impact of the substitutes but with the group. I’m disappointed though that we conceded a late one.”

 ‘Still alive’

England had the edge over Mexico in the opening half but grabbed control thanks to Kirby’s goal five minutes after Sampson substituted Jill Scott with Birmingham City winger Carney.

There had been first-half efforts from Kirby, Toni Duggan and Eniola Aluko with the latter clipping the crossbar just before the break.

Substitute Fabiola Ibarra got one back for the Mexicans one minute into injury time after England goalie Karen Bardsley spilled a shot.