'It was tough' - Lionesses stopper Mary Earps sends out message to England team-mates after starring in draw against Emma Hayes' USWNT

Despite the buildup of anticipation surrounding the fixture, the match ended in a goalless draw, a result that could have swung in favour of the reigning Olympic champions if not for Earps’ critical interventions. The first half saw the USWNT apply constant pressure on the England defence, forcing the Paris Saint-Germain keeper to make a series of key saves and keep her side in the contest.

Speaking to ITV after the match, Earps acknowledged the difficulty of facing such formidable opponents.

"It was tough, as you'd expect against the Olympic champions," she said. "We were hard to beat and resolute and stuck together as a group. There are things to build on but I think we will take a 0-0."

Reflecting on her own performance, Earps added: "It's about me going out there and being who I am. That's all I try to do. Play with a smile on my face and that's what I will start to do."

The match comes during a pivotal period for Earps, who has faced competition for the No. 1 spot from Hannah Hampton in England’s lineup ahead of the European Championships next summer. She has made significant strides to reaffirm her status as the undisputed starter and the stellar outing against the USWNT only strengthened her claim in the battle for the starting role.

Wiegman's troops are going through a slump as they were beaten 4-3 by Germany and narrowly escaped with a 2-1 win over South Africa. Acknowledging England’s inconsistent form, Earps highlighted the challenges the team has faced this year and sent out a strong message.

"I think it has been a tough year," she said. "A few tough results. We know what we can do as a group. It is about figuring out how we can play. That's the thing with friendlies, you can experiment with a few things. Drawing against the Olympic champions is no small thing but we want to be winning those games."

The Lionesses will aim to build on their defensive solidity as they prepare to host Switzerland in their next friendly on Tuesday. With another opportunity to refine their tactics and improve their form, England will hope to find the winning edge that eluded them against the USWNT.