Karen Carney thanked the England Women’s medical team after heading home the crucial second goal in the Lionesses’ 2-1 World Cup win over Mexico on Saturday.
The Birmingham City captain came off the bench in the second half and converted Alex Greenwood’s deep cross to double her side’s lead following Fran Kirby’s opener.
Carney had a minor back complaint coming into the tournament and sat out Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat by France as a precautionary measure.
England 2-1 Mexico
FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
Group F
Saturday 13 June
Moncton Stadium, New Brunswick, Canada
But after receiving treatment from the team doctor and physios, the 27-year-old was able to make an impact on Group F.
Carney said: "I’d like to thank the medical staff who helped me get back to where I need to be and put me in the position to help the team, so fair play to them.
"They have been really, really good with me."
She also had a word of thanks for goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain.
Carney added: "It was a very rare headed goal from me.
"I think it came off my plait, which Siobhan Chamberlain did for me so I’m really grateful to her for that.
"A goal’s a goal. We needed it. Fran’s goal was exceptional as well. It’s a whole-team thing. Everyone was amazing – from the people that started to the people that came on."
England go into the final group match in second place, and with a spot in the last 16 within their grasp.
A win over Colombia on Wednesday would secure their passage to the knockout stages – and Carney wants her team-mates to bring the same spirit to that game as they have showed all tournament.
She said: "The team did really well. They dealt with the pressure. We dug deep when we needed to and got the result. Now we are really excited to play Colombia.
"The competition is healthy. We are all supporting each other and are all behind each other as we will be against Colombia."
