Mary Earps will be celebrated ahead of England's World Cup qualifier match against Spain at Wembley. She is most notably known for raising goalkeeping standards across Europe and the world. From an unforgettable summer of 2022 stands the highest moment. She retired from international football abruptly ahead of Euro 2025, amid suspicion that it was due to her no longer being the manager's first-choice goalkeeper.
She ends her international career with 53 caps for her country. Earps will likely be honoured with appreciation from supporters, flowers, and a framed copy of her shirt, with the possibility of a brief interview before kick-off.
The biggest moment of her career was the historic 2-1 Wembley victory over Germany in the 2022 Euros final, which delivered the women their first major trophy and the country's first since 1966. England went unbeaten that tournament. During the group stage, they did not concede any goals; they conceded only two over the whole competition, one against Spain and another against Germany.
Despite all that, her favourite moment from the tournament was not the final, but the 4-0 semi-final win over Sweden. She said, “ It's weird, I don't think about the saves.”
Though the scoreline suggests they dominated, even when 2-0 up, they were under constant pressure. The goalkeeper said, “It came up off Stina Blackstenius’ knee, so it was quite unconventional, and I just tipped it over the bar.”
She revealed that the memories that matter most are not purely about saves: “It’s weird, though, I don’t really think about the saves during the tournament. I think about Rach (Rachel Daly) with her cowboy hat on after the Sweden game, and us dancing in the changing room to Abba after the Spain game.”
She added: “They’re the most special sorts of moments… The final was special, just the thrill… walking out with Leah in front of me and Millie behind me, and the trophy lift. I felt really confident in the team we had, it was such a special bond, a blend of youth and experience — I feel like I could talk about it all day!”
Her rise to the top was not quick. After progressing through the youth system, she made her senior debut in 2017 as a late sub in a 4-0 victory over Switzerland, three years after her first senior call-up. She was the fourth-choice keeper at the time and did not expect to make her debut.
The PSG star reflected: “I remember getting on and thinking, ‘just don’t mess this up!’ Do the simple things, do the basics well. There’s a picture of me running on the pitch, and my dad always said it was like I’d been given the keys to the chocolate factory. I looked so happy.”
During her 53 caps, she has secured 26 clean sheets, a Euros winner, a World Cup Golden Glove and runner-up, and Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper in 2022 and 2023.
Even after the controversy surrounding her tell-all autobiography, which included statements about Sarin Wiegman, she praised Earp's contribution in a recent press conference, urging supporters to celebrate her legacy: “She deserves a great farewell… let’s all celebrate her.”
Off the pitch, her rise helped redefine goalkeeping in women's football, gave it a platform and visibility, professional standards of the position, and ensured you can buy goalkeeper shirts as well.
It is a story of persistence, identity, and transformation, both personal and collective.
And fittingly, as she once said: “For me, that’s the proudest thing.”
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