Mary Earps: 'Right now it is really raw. Gutting'

Over time, once the pain has subsided somewhat, there will be pride. But for now, for Mary Earps, the heartbreak is raw. She’s gutted.

Voted the best goalkeeper in the world last year, Earps has picked up another individual honour by claiming the Golden Glove at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup following a string of truly exceptional performances.

But with England Women missing out on the ultimate prize, following their 1-0 final defeat to Spain, the Golden Glove is little consolation. It will not mask the pain.

Earps said: "I feel like they had a chance and took it, and we didn't. I felt like we were really in the game.

“I'm sure we will feel really proud in a couple of weeks but right now it is really raw. Gutting.”

Earps has made important penalty saves before and on the biggest stage, in the biggest game there is, she produced another one in the second half to deny Jenni Hermoso to give her side renewed hope.

"I felt like it gave us the momentum, but we just couldn't find an equaliser,” she said.

In the end, Olga Carmona’s excellent low drive just before the half an hour mark was to prove the difference.

But this England team have once again made history. From a first major tournament at last year’s UEFA Women’s EURO, to reaching a maiden World Cup final in 2023, this group of players have once again inspired and captivated a generation of girls and boys.

She said: "I feel like I just try to go out and do my job for the team, leave everything on the pitch. The team result is the most important thing really and we couldn't get that today.

"In a couple of weeks, when the emotion has settled down, we will probably be able to look back and feel proud – it is no small feat to get to a World Cup final. But we are very competitive people, we came here to win the game and get a gold medal, not a silver one.

"At the same time you need to try and be as present as possible. These moments don't come around very often. I will probably look back on this as up there as one of my career highlights but right now it just doesn't feel like it.”