It was fitting that Fran Kirby’s rising strike into the top corner would break the resolve of a resilient Northern Ireland defence. The Chelsea forward has been in magical form for England during the group stage of the Euros, the creative hub of the midfield, and her goal followed a typically selfless move to set up Georgia Stanway when she perhaps should have shot herself.
Kirby’s goal opened the gate which the Lionesses would pour through, earning a 5-0 defeat of Northern Ireland in their final game in Group A to maintain a perfect start to their Euros campaign.