Mary Earps England 2023Getty

'Football isn't easy' - Lionessses goalkeeper Mary Earps speaks out after England's Nations League defeat to Belgium

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • England lost 3-2 to Belgium
  • May miss out on Nations League finals
  • Earps demands they learn a lesson
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

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  • Mary Earps England 2023Getty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The result leaves Sarina Wiegman's team in danger of missing out on a place in the Nations League finals and thus next year's Olympic Games out of their own hands.

    Not only do England need to beat Netherlands next month, they must also hope other results go their way as they sit third in the group and three points behind the Dutch.

  • WHAT THEY SAID

    “You learn a lot from defeat," Earps said. "That’s how great teams are made. Life isn’t easy, football isn’t easy. If it was, we would all be gold medalists. That’s just not how life works, that’s not how football works. You have to earn it. I think we are working hard but we have to find a way to win – and we are just missing that at the minute.”

  • Niamh Charles Janice Cayman England Belgium Women 2023Getty

    WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    England will host Netherlands on December 1 before visiting Scotland four days later.