The FIFA world number one has done it again as former Reading goalkeeper, Mary Earps and the England squad have booked themselves a place in the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in their history after an emphatic display against host nation Australia. The ex-Royals star featured 34 times between 2016 and 2018 before switching to German giants Wolfsburg where she won the domestic double in the 2018/19 season.
Related: Mary Earps named ‘Best Goalkeeper’ at FIFA awards
Goals from Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp saw the Lionesses secure the final stop in their World Cup journey for the first time in their history with Earps pulling off some sensational saves to keep the Matildas at bay. Credit where credit is due though, Sam Kerr deposited a rifling ‘Goal of the Tournament’ contender past the Manchester United number one to put Australia equal after 60 minutes.
Her sensational displays haven’t come without off the pitch disappointment however, as Nike revealed they would not be selling goalkeeper shirts after it was deemed ‘not part of the commercial strategy’.
Related: Mary Earps ‘frustrated’ with Nike as goalkeeping deemed ‘unimportant’
The Lionesses will now face Spain in the Final on Sunday 20th of August at Stadium Australia in Sydney with Earps’ former team-mate Ona Battle expected to appear alongside the likes of Aitana Bonmati, two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Alexia Putellas and top goalscorer Jennifer Hermoso.
