Reds help England start World Cup with win

The United stopper made a number of key saves to protect the Lionesses' slender - and ultimately decisive - one-goal advantage, gained from a first-half penalty scored by Bayern Munich's Georgia Stanway.

Earps's Reds team-mate Ella Toone also played 90 minutes, providing energy from midfield, while our captain Katie Zelem was an unused substitute at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

The scoreline's narrow reading doesn't quite match up with the statistical supremacy England created - having three quarters of the possession and the shots - but its safe to say that the Lionesses were indebted to their stopper on the way to the Group D victory.

Earps had a quiet outing in large parts - as Toone and co looked to control proceedings - but our keeper came up big when required most, with two important saves in the second half in particular.

On the 50th minute, our no.27 produced a leaping one-handed diversion to a thunderbolt from Melchie Dumornay, before a crucial intervention with her outstretched left foot denied Roseline Eloissaint from levelling the scores in the closing stages.

The Lionesses went on to see out the contest with the lead intact, meaning its a winning start to the tournament for our trio representing the European champions this summer.

Speaking after the full-time whistle in a broadcast interview with ITV, England head coach Sarina Wiegman shared her delight with the Euro 2022 Team of the Tournament goalkeeper's ability to stay focused and make an impact when called upon in the game.

"Mary, not having to do a lot of things and then all of a sudden be there, that's crucial for us," she said, when asked about Earps. "So, I'm happy with that."

Former Lionesses midfielder Jill Scott, who was part of the squad that achieved that European success last summer, echoed those thoughts as part of ITV's punditry team post-match.

"That one [save to deny Eloissaint] at the end was a fantastic goalkeeping technique with that spread to stop the ball going in," declared Scott.

"So, I was pleased for Mary. She had to stay focused throughout the game and we know that's her main strength.

"To get that save at the end, and obviously make sure England got the points, I'm really pleased for her."

WHAT'S NEXT FOR OUR REDS?

Our England trio will be looking forward to the second game of their Group D campaign, against Denmark, on Friday (kick-off 09:30 BST).

Before then, at the tournament, United's Vilde Boe Risa will be hoping to help Norway respond to their opening-match defeat to New Zealand, when they face Switzerland in a Group A matchday-two encounter on Tuesday (09:00 BST).

The following day, a Canada squad that includes Reds duo Adriana Leon and Jayde Riviere take on the Republic of Ireland in Group B (13:00 BST). Both players featured in their nation's 0-0 draw with Nigeria, as they got under way at the World Cup yesterday (Friday).