England and Manchester goalkeeper Mary Earps was forced off in the opening minutes of England’s 2-1 defeat to France in their crunch Euro 2025 qualifier on Friday night
Mary Earps was using crutches after being forced off early in England’s 2-1 Euro 2025 qualifying defeat to France on Friday night.
It’s the latest blow to England’s Euro 2025 qualifying campaign after suffering their first European Championship qualifying defeat in almost 24 years, the last arriving against Norway in June 2000.
The loss to France ended a streak of 28 Euro qualifying games unbeaten. Sarina Wiegman’s side were immediately on the backfoot after Earps, 31, looked in serious distress shortly after kick-off.
Dealing with a simple back pass from her defensive line, the Manchester United goalkeeper grimaced and swiftly went to the ground where she was attended to by medical staff. The Lionesses shot-stopper looked to be in clear agony as she was helped back onto her feet and attempted to continue playing.
But shortly after, Earps went to the ground once more and was then helped off the pitch looking visibly upset as Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton was called on to replace her between the sticks.
There was no injury concern for Earps before Friday night’s contest, and it seemed that a hip injury occurred sometime between kick-off and Earps being forced off. And in the aftermath of England’s 2-1 defeat, Earps was spotted on crutches as she tried to console teammates following the disappointing result.
On Earps’ injury, England manager Sarina Wiegman said: “I’ve not spoken to her or the doctor. Of course I’m concerned. She doesn’t go off the pitch often and she’s on crutches. I really don’t know but of course there are some concerns.”
Defeat against France leaves the defending European champions four points behind Hervé Renard’s group leaders and third in the group behind Sweden on goal difference.
The Lionesses were far from their best on a sub-par night for the qualifying group’s two big hitters. Beth Mead opened the scoring with a half hour gone, finding the composure to convert Lauren Hemp’s cross with a slick sweeping effort.
But poor marking from set pieces was once again England’s unravelling as defender Elisa De Almeida supplied an sensational volley shortly after Mead’s opener as she met Kenza Dali’s corner, while Marie-Antoinette Katoto securing the winner after the interval in a second-phase of play following another corner routine.
England’s defence was significantly disrupted by Earps’ departure and never managed to tease out a rhythm to match the energy of France’s attack. On the performance, England captain Leah Williamson bemoaned the poor defending of set-pieces but maintained that the issue will be dealt with before Tuesday’s rematch in France.
“Set pieces,” Williamson said when asked what the problem was on the evening. “Well, second balls. I think we played well, not good enough, we didn’t win the game. we had chances to win the game but set pieces.
She added: “I just think for us, it’s first contact and second contact should be better and will be better on Tuesday.”
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