How Hannah Hampton claimed England's number one spot over Mary Earps

Chelsea goalkeeper's distribution and shot-stopping propelled her into number one shirt

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It begins with her studs on the ball. Her eyes scan left, then right, seeking an opening beyond the first line of defence. Once she has a target in sight, she rolls the ball just a touch away from her, places her left foot perfectly beside the ball, and launches a pinpoint pass into the path of Alessia Russo’s run, as if she had placed it there with her hands.

With one pass, she eliminates the opponent’s entire press, launching an attack from her own penalty box. Less than 10 seconds after leaving Hannah Hampton’s feet, the ball ends up in the back of the net courtesy of an emphatic Lauren James finish. 1-0 England just like that.

Hampton’s assist in England’s 4-0 win against the Netherlands in the Euro 2025 group stage became a famous moment in their triumphant summer campaign.

Under the spotlight of Mary Earps’s controversial retirement just before the Euros, Hampton has raised the bar for goalkeepers in women’s football, repaying England manager Sarina Wiegman’s faith in the 24-year-old.