Fran Kirby, the England playmaker, was overcome with emotion after Friday night’s Women’s World Cup win over Argentina as it fell on what would have been her late mother’s birthday.
Kirby lost her mother Denise suddenly to a brain haemorrhage 11 years ago while still a teenager and has since admitted there is not a day that goes by without her thinking about her mother’s influence.
Friday’s Group D victory, which secured England’s place in the knock-out stages of the tournament, came on Denise’s birthday, 14 June. At club level with Chelsea, Kirby plays in the No. 14 shirt as a tribute.
Kirby appeared visibly upset after the final whistle at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre and, after she broke down in tears, England head coach Phil Neville was one of several to comfort her.
“We help each other,” Neville later said. “Today’s been really an emotional day for everybody because Fran is a special person who misses her mum.
1/11 Carly Telford – 6 out of 10
Making her majour tournament debut at the age of 31 after four summers away with England. A few nervous moments, as may be expected.
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2/11 Lucy Bronze – 7 out of 10
In the wars early on, clattered under several strong Argentine tackles, but typically refused to be intimidated.
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3/11 Abbie McManus – 6 out of 10
Replaced Millie Bright, who was not risked due to a shoulder injury, and did not let Neville or her team-mates down.
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4/11 Steph Houghton – 6 out of 10
Her and McManus had little to contend with, given Argentina’s lack of ambition, but she coped well with what little came her way.
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5/11 Alex Greenwood – 7 out of 10
Probably England’s brightest player in a disppointing first half, Greenwood combined well with Mead down the left flank.
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6/11 Jade Moore – 6 out of 10
In for Keira Walsh and another who at times let the midfield battle get the better of her, but then had to stand and compete against tenacious opponents.
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7/11 Jill Scott – 6 out of 10
Enjoyed the tussles in the middle of the park a little too much at times, when more composure was required, and did not exert usual influence.
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8/11 Nikita Parris – 6 out of 10
Denied from the spot by an excellent save, though did not strike the ball far enough in the corner. Quieter as the evening went on.
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9/11 Fran Kirby – 6 out of 10
Started slowly, gradually improved, but still failed to offer much in the way of invention. Still waiting to see her best in France.
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10/11 Beth Mead – 8 out of 10
Tormented Argentina with her close control, sometimes let down by her first touch, but her low cross for Taylor’s goal was inch-perfect.
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11/11 Jodie Taylor – 7 out of 10
Skewed the penalty rebound well wide but more than made up for that with a simple but effective finish for the opening goal.
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1/11 Carly Telford – 6 out of 10
Making her majour tournament debut at the age of 31 after four summers away with England. A few nervous moments, as may be expected.
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2/11 Lucy Bronze – 7 out of 10
In the wars early on, clattered under several strong Argentine tackles, but typically refused to be intimidated.
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3/11 Abbie McManus – 6 out of 10
Replaced Millie Bright, who was not risked due to a shoulder injury, and did not let Neville or her team-mates down.
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4/11 Steph Houghton – 6 out of 10
Her and McManus had little to contend with, given Argentina’s lack of ambition, but she coped well with what little came her way.
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5/11 Alex Greenwood – 7 out of 10
Probably England’s brightest player in a disppointing first half, Greenwood combined well with Mead down the left flank.
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6/11 Jade Moore – 6 out of 10
In for Keira Walsh and another who at times let the midfield battle get the better of her, but then had to stand and compete against tenacious opponents.
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7/11 Jill Scott – 6 out of 10
Enjoyed the tussles in the middle of the park a little too much at times, when more composure was required, and did not exert usual influence.
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8/11 Nikita Parris – 6 out of 10
Denied from the spot by an excellent save, though did not strike the ball far enough in the corner. Quieter as the evening went on.
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9/11 Fran Kirby – 6 out of 10
Started slowly, gradually improved, but still failed to offer much in the way of invention. Still waiting to see her best in France.
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10/11 Beth Mead – 8 out of 10
Tormented Argentina with her close control, sometimes let down by her first touch, but her low cross for Taylor’s goal was inch-perfect.
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11/11 Jodie Taylor – 7 out of 10
Skewed the penalty rebound well wide but more than made up for that with a simple but effective finish for the opening goal.
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“So does Carly Telford [the England goalkeeper, who lost her mum to cancer last year]. So today we shared their emotion, we shared their happiness and we shared their sadness.”
Toni Duggan, Karen Bardsley, Beth Mead and Alex Greenwood were only some of the many England players to comfort Kirby while on the pitch. “We are a family,” Neville added.
Emma Hayes, Kirby’s manager at Chelsea, told BBC Radio Five Live: “It would have been difficult for her. She managed it superbly. She grew with confident and I’m glad Phil Neville left her on the pitch.
“She stuck to her task. It was important not to get affected too much by emotion. Her decisions were spot on. When she made mistakes she kept going. She can be very threatening as the tournament progresses.”
