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Gillian Coultard: ‘I could have been the first woman to get a hat-trick’

TWENTY five years ago today, England played their first-ever match in the Fifa Women’s World Cup finals. 

In the 51st minute, striker Karen Farley twisted away from her marker and was brought down by Canadian defender Michelle Ring in the penalty area.

Referee Eva Odlund pointed to the spot and a 31-year-old midfielder from Doncaster stepped forward to make English sporting history.

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