England produced a vibrant display of attacking football as Aggie Beever-Jones hit a first-half hat-trick on the way to a 6-0 thrashing of Portugal.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were back to their best in the Nations League after a shock defeat to Belgium last month, with a returning Lauren Hemp outstanding down the left. Beever-Jones opened the scoring inside a matter of minutes and soon had three as she seized her chance up front, with Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead also on the scoresheet in a five-goal first 45 minutes.
The interval disrupted the Lionesses rhythm and there was little reason for further exertion, though substitute Chloe Kelly headed home a lovely goal to complete the rout. A welcome return for Georgia Stanway in midfield was another reason to smile for Wiegman, who resisted the urge to test out another keeper alongside Hannah Hampton despite the retirement of Mary Earps this week.
Re-live all the action from England vs Portugal at Wembley in our live blog below:
England vs Portugal LIVE: Latest Women's Nations League updates
- England thrash Portugal 6-0 at Wembley
- FULL TIME: England 6-0 Portugal
- GOAL! ENGLAND 6-0 Portugal (Chloe Kelly, 62 minutes)
- GOAL! ENGLAND 5-0 Portugal (Aggie Beever-Jones, 35 minutes)
- GOAL! ENGLAND 4-0 Portugal (Beth Mead, 29 minutes)
- GOAL! ENGLAND 3-0 Portugal (Aggie Beever-Jones, 26 minutes)
- GOAL! ENGLAND 2-0 Portugal (Lucy Bronze, 6 minutes)
- GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 Portugal (Aggie Beever-Jones, 4 minutes)
And here's Sarina Wiegman
21:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle“It’s what we wanted,” the England boss tells ITV. “You go back to business. We want to keep in the running that we can win the Nations League, and we needed a win. It was really good to see the team show up like this.
“There are always things to improve. But it is a good score. We started really well, we adapted really well. We wanted to defend on the front foot and we did that really well. In the second half, the spaces became smaller for us, but the goal we scored was really good even if it was harder to find the space.
On the returnees from injury, Wiegman adds: “I know how hard they have worked and how much they have done to come back. Of course, it’s a step up. It is the Nations League and we want to win, but at the same time we are preparing for the Euros. They need meaningful minutes. When you score so much, it is easier to make subs.
“When we played Spain here, we dropped a little deeper. We’ll review this and then make final decisions. We know they are so tight and smart on the ball. I’m really happy with how the team did today.”
How Aggie Beever-Jones took chance to lead breakout night for England’s next generation
21:46 , Jamie Braidwood at WembleyAfter all the talk this week of who’s not going to the Euros, England made sure they moved the conversation onto those who will be travelling to Switzerland this summer.
Aggie Beever-Jones produced a performance, and scored a 33-minute minute hat-trick against Portugal on her first Wembley start, that meant the excitement around the Chelsea forward will go up to another level ahead of Euro 2025. The Women’s PFA Young Player of the Year seized her opportunity, with the type of display that comes from the sheer hunger of wanting to really make your case for going to a major tournament. She left nothing to chance and was not the only one.
How Aggie Beever-Jones took chance to lead England’s next generation
Sarina Wiegman on the returns of Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway
22:53 , Jamie Braidwood“It’s really nice to see them back. They have worked so hard to get to where they are right now and that is what they showed. If you haven’t put all the work in to this point then you cannot put in a performance what they showed tonight. Of course we look to keep building. The Euros is really coming close at the same time we want to perform in the Nations League, so we we have to find that balance.”
Aggie Beever-Jones speaks to ITV after her hat trick
21:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle“I’m absolutely shattered! Coming into this today after a big season, to get told I was starting, I just wanted to help the team as much as I can.
“I’ve been trying to find my family. My friends are here as well - I’m delighted and can’t quite believe it, if I’m honest.
“For me, I’m just focussing on the current and the now and I believe everything will fall into place. As long as I’m giving the right people headaches, and making Sarina happy, that’s good. I think I’ll get the girls to sign the match ball because it’s such a special day.”
FULL TIME: England 6-0 Portugal
21:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleVery, very impressive from England, back to full force to set up a shot at group victory against Spain on Tuesday. After the misstep in Belgium, they were on it from the first whistle, striking early and often in the first half to thump their visitors 6-0.
A hat-trick for Aggie Beever-Jones, a star turn from Lauren Hemp, and no obvious injuries to fret about - job done for the Lionesses.
FULL TIME: England 6-0 Portugal
21:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 6-0 Portugal, 90 + 3 minutes
21:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleOoh. A bit of a to-do between Leah Williamson and Catarina Amado late on, the England captain clashing with Amado and directing her head towards her. Tensions soon settle.
England 6-0 Portugal, 90 minutes
21:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleThree more minutes to come, a few already starting to file out towards the pubs, stations and other evening entertainment venues mightily content with England’s performance.
England 6-0 Portugal, 89 minutes
21:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto the final knockings with the result long since decided. The 50,000 or so inside Wembley (or at least those not of a Portuguese persuasion) seem to have very much enjoyed England’s goal feasting.
England 6-0 Portugal, 86 minutes
21:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleAna Capeta and Diana Silva are replaced late on by Portugal. The experienced Carolina Mendes and Beatriz Fonseca will get a chance for a run out on the Wembley turf.
England 6-0 Portugal, 84 minutes
21:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleAggie Beever-Jones has been more of a bit-part figure in this second half, and her touch lets her down on a rare glimpse of space about seven yards from the right edge of the penalty area. She has already done plenty of damage, of course.
And she nearly has a fourth goal! A canny switch from Beth Mead sets up the striker but Ines Pereira is equal to a curving shot released with the outside of her boot.
England 6-0 Portugal, 81 minutes
21:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is still urgency in the England press, the tackles tough, the organisation as it should be. They’ve barely allowed Portugal to have a sniff tonight.
England 6-0 Portugal, 77 minutes
21:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe first minutes of 2025 for Georgia Stanway, on in the place of Keira Walsh and into that anchoring role. It’s nice to see the Bayern Munich midfielder back amongst things.
England 6-0 Portugal, 74 minutes
21:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleOff the woodwork! A sensational free kick from some range by Alex Greenwood thuds off the crossbar via a flick of the fingertips of Ines Pereira, and Chloe Kelly can’t then contort a header into the back of the net on the follow-up. Not Kelly’s best - touch of the sublime and then the ridiculous, as she jogs away with a rueful shake of the head.
Some hit from Greenwood, though - and a good save from Pereira in the end.
England 6-0 Portugal, 72 minutes
21:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleHannah Hampton has had very little to do tonight, and appears to be glancing over towards the bench, wondering if a goalkeeping change might yet come. Perhaps Sarina Wiegman feels these aren’t really the circumstances to best stress test her prospective alternatives to the England No 1.
England 6-0 Portugal, 70 minutes
21:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis does feel the strongest that the England squad has looked for a long while, even with Lauren James and Alessia Russo absent, among others. Plenty of options for Sarina Wiegman.
England 6-0 Portugal, 69 minutes
21:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleA double substitution from Portugal brings a debut for Carolina Correira, on alongside Andreia Faria. Andreia Norton and Andreia Jacinto depart.
England 6-0 Portugal, 67 minutes
21:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother England chance, and a warm reception for the arrival of Fran Kirby. Jess Park is replaced.
England 6-0 Portugal, 64 minutes
21:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleWith both Alex Greenwood and Leah Williamson on the pitch, England really do have incredible passing range from centre half.
But in a sign of the tougher test to come on Tuesday, Spain are powering away from Belgium: Athenea del Castillo has struck twice in two minutes to extend their advantage to 4-0.
GOAL! ENGLAND 6-0 Portugal (Chloe Kelly, 62 minutes)
21:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis time Chloe Kelly gets her goal!
A thing of fine construct from the hosts at Wembley! A glorious pass from Alex Greenwood picks out Beth Mead on the left, who sets her feet and then her sights on Kelly arriving at speed on the angle on the opposite wing. A clipped cross is oh so inviting - six of the best for England, with more perhaps to come...
England 5-0 Portugal, 60 minutes
21:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleNo goals, then, since the resumption. Ana Borges is forced into a hasty hustle to prevent Chloe Kelly changing that, the Portugal defender sliding in effectively.
England 5-0 Portugal, 58 minutes
21:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleA booking for Grace Clinton, swinging at a ballooning ball at the same time as a Portuguese player and making contact with calf rather than her intended target.
England 5-0 Portugal, 56 minutes
21:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleChanges for England. Away go Lucy Bronze, Lauren Hemp and Esme Morgan. Welcome to Chloe Kelly, Maya Le Tissier and Alex Greenwood. Le Tissier will go to right-back, it seems, to replace goalscorer Bronze.
England 5-0 Portugal, 54 minutes
20:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleA pretty wasteful pass from Diana Silva in search of namesake Jessica, the latter settling for Silva in a sprint against an England defender having started some way behind them in pursuit of her teammate’s forward thump.
England 5-0 Portugal, 49 minutes
20:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleA sore one for Lauren Hemp, a rake of the studs down the back of the calf never nice. She’s back on her feet soon enough - though Sarina Wiegman isn’t at all happy that the Portuguese player escapes without sanction in the form of a coloured card. Just a free kick.
England 5-0 Portugal, 49 minutes
20:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleOver in Belgium, meanwhile, Spain are 2-0 up and thus keeping their place at the top of the group, despite England’s fun at Wembley.
Grace Clinton ambitiously lets fly from about 25 yards but skies it. Clinton’s finishing, to pick nits, hasn’t been at its best tonight.
England 5-0 Portugal, 47 minutes
20:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleNo changes yet for England. Was Sarina Wiegman tempted to give one of her other goalkeepers a half after Mary Earps’s retirement?
Second half...
20:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleA half-time switch for Portugal: Dolores Silva is off and Jessica Silva is on. The latter should offer more forward threat, provided she is over a rather worrying eye injury that has addled her recently.
Back underway.
HALF TIME: England 5-0 Portugal
20:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell that was all rather good from England, dynamic and devastating in attack on their way to five goals. A hat-trick for Aggie Beever-Jones was well taken, but it’s Lauren Hemp who has really been the star, effervescent, enterprising and, frankly, excellent throughout down the left hand side. Will the goal glut continue after the interval or will Portugal find a way to steady the ship?
HALF TIME: England 5-0 Portugal
20:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 5-0 Portugal, 45 + 2 minutes
20:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe offside flag spoils England’s latest forward foray, with a gathering group of white shirts beginning to swarm towards the Portugal box, expecting another tasty morsel or two to devour. Beth Mead was the guilty party, just off as a pass was played her way.
England 5-0 Portugal, 45 minutes
20:30 , Harry Latham-CoylePortugal’s first-half misery is prolonged by three additional minutes.
England 5-0 Portugal, 43 minutes
20:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleHow has Grace Clinton not got there? Hemp plays the provider this time, sending in a spinning cross from the byline with her left foot that Clinton appears set to divert home. It evades the midfielder, though, who trudges back with an approving gesture to the winger, who really has been outstanding in this half.
England 5-0 Portugal, 41 minutes
20:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleIf Lauren Hemp’s feet were a size or two bigger, that might have been a sixth, a sliding Lioness just unable to get her claw on it as she attacks a low cross at the far post.
England 5-0 Portugal, 39 minutes
20:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleConsecutive crosses from Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze each evade their intended targets, Portugal doing rather better with their marking than they did for Aggie Beever-Jones’s second.
England 5-0 Portugal, 38 minutes
20:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleSarina Wiegman doesn’t tend to give too much away in her technical area but you’d suggest the Lionesses boss is enjoying the ruthlessness her side are showing here. There’s been on easing, really, in their purpose in possession, the European champions perhaps recognising an opportunity to send a message with the defence of their title looming.
England 5-0 Portugal, 36 minutes
20:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleJess Park fancies getting in on the act, going it alone with Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones well placed near her. Dolores Silva gets back to prevent a sixth but can only concede a corner.
GOAL! ENGLAND 5-0 Portugal
20:20 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat on earth are we seeing? A 33-minute hat-trick for Aggie Beever-Jones. She started making the curved run across the Portugal defence before Leah Williamson even received the ball - knowing the captain had the vision and quality to pull off the pass in behind. The touch was excellent. The finish was confident.
It gets worse for Portugal.
GOAL! ENGLAND 5-0 Portugal (Aggie Beever-Jones, 35 minutes)
20:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleA first-half hat-trick for Aggie Beever-Jones!
Talk about seizing one’s chance! It’s a gorgeous ball forward from Leah Williamson, stepping out and play-making as she can at her best. A raking pass is taken down nicely by Beever-Jones and the fierce finish is just as good - though Ines Pereira will be disappointed to have been beaten at the near post.
England 4-0 Portugal, 32 minutes
20:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s tough to know where Portugal go from here. They just haven’t been at it at all.
A bit of a concern for England as Keira Walsh pulls up and hobbles around for a while with an apparent injury. Is that a slight grimace on her face? She’s continuing for now but I’m not sure she’s totally comfortable.
England 4-0 Portugal
20:16 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Portugal goalkeeper Ines Pereira pulled her team-mates in for an huddle as England celebrated their fourth. It’s been a wretched half hour for them.
GOAL! ENGLAND 4-0 Portugal (Beth Mead, 29 minutes)
20:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleDelightful! England are irresistible; Portugal all over the place!
Oh dear oh dear. Jess Park runs Dolores Silva off the ball a little too easily and then slips in Beth Mead. Mead brushes off the temporary attentions of Catarina Amado and opens up her body to find the gaping space to the goalkeeper’s left.
England 3-0 Portugal
20:14 , Jamie BraidwoodPortugal are starting to look like the team that conceded seven and four to Spain last month’s Nations League double-header, rather than the side that frustrated England in a 1-1 draw in February. Beever-Jones was totally unmarked.
But the smile is back on Sarina Wiegman’s face. After a difficult week of questions following the retirement of Mary Earps, this is the lift everyone needed.
England 3-0 Portugal, 28 minutes
20:14 , Harry Latham-CoylePortugal feel frazzled here. They were very good in the reverse fixture, holding their shape effectively, but that early double strike just totally unsettled them.
GOAL! ENGLAND 3-0 Portugal (Aggie Beever-Jones, 26 minutes)
20:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s three! The simplest of headers for Aggie Beever-Jones!
A fine cross from Lucy Bronze but where are the Portugal defenders? Two are just about within touching distance of the England striker as Bronze swings it in from deep but go off chasing others, leaving a beaming Beever-Jones all alone in the middle of the dancefloor. A firm planted header clips the crossbar on its way.
England 2-0 Portugal
20:10 , Jamie BraidwoodThere have been a couple of flashes of what England have missed when Lauren Hemp has been unavailable, namely that ability to quickly change pass and accelerate an attack. A Mexican Wave spreads around Wembley.
England 2-0 Portugal, 24 minutes
20:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleAndreia Jacinto’s slightly ropey back pass is just about kept in play by Ines Pereira , though all the goalkeeper can do is punt the ball into touch. The replays suggest it was already beyond the line - though it matters not for England as they earn the corner they deserved soon after the throw-in.
England 2-0 Portugal, 22 minutes
20:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleA concern for Portugal as Ana Borges stays down after that tangle with Hemp. I think she’ll be ok to continue, but out come a couple of medics to check her out.
England 2-0 Portugal, 20 minutes
20:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleMore liveliness from Lauren Hemp, turning a defender with a vicious twist of limbs. She sends Jess Park onwards but the midfielder can’t make much of the position.
England 2-0 Portugal, 18 minutes
20:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleLauren Hemp breaks beyond the Portugal defence, beating Fatima Pinto to the ball and accelerating away. Her touch drags her too wide to fashion a shot but she reloads, connecting with a teammate and then crafting a cross, which flies to deep. Good signs, though, from Hemp, who was excellent after making her comeback for Manchester City last month.
England 2-0 Portugal, 16 minutes
20:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleCarter and Leah Wiliamson sandwich Diana Silva as the Portugal striker retreats, and there is cover beyond them, preventing the dangerous Andreia Jacinto from careering away down the right. England really did show some defensive frailties in Belgium earlier in this Nations League campaign but this has looked better so far.
England 2-0 Portugal, 14 minutes
20:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleJess Carter has looked lively in these opening skirmishes, the left-back eager to get forward with the ball and tough to shift off it when she gets on the move. The construction of England’s back four over the next couple of months will be interesting, particularly given the slight uncertainty around Millie Bright - one hopes the centre half feels able to return to the squad soon.
England 2-0 Portugal, 11 minutes
19:57 , Harry Latham-CoylePortugal skipper Dolores Silva raises a hand of apology to her teammates after getting her feet in a tangle and conceding a soft throw-in to put them under pressure. No harm done, England tossing it backwards and then running aground.
England 2-0 Portugal, 10 minutes
19:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleOff the post! Portugal threaten twice from crosses with England failing to perform their aerial duties effectively. Andreia Norton heads towards goal but watches it fall the wrong side of the post with Hannah Hampton sprawling - I think the goalkeeper had it covered...
England 2-0 Portugal, 7 minutes
19:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt feels like England might score every time they have the ball. Lauren Hemp is full of vim and vigour, like a carbonated drink shaken up after a long time out of the side through injury. Her ball just evades Aggie Beever-Jones.
ENGLAND 2-0 Portugal
19:53 , Jamie BraidwoodThe difference a goal makes. Or rather, the difference Lauren Hemp makes on the England left. The winger gives England natural width on that left side and the option to take on her defender on the outside. In the box, there was right back Lucy Bronze. With Jess Carter in the team, she’s given the freedom to push high.
GOAL! ENGLAND 2-0 Portugal (Lucy Bronze, 6 minutes)
19:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother! England’s start gets better!
Portugal cry offside but Lucy Bronze is just on! It’s forceful play from England down the left, not allowing their visitors to settle in after the early concession. Aggie Beever-Jones and Beth Mead are denied but as the ball floats across the box, there is Bronze to gobble it up. She heads home 90 seconds after her club colleague had opened the scoring - England are flying!
GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 Portugal
19:50 , Jamie BraidwoodA dream first Wembley start for Aggie Beever-Jones. It’s almost her first touch, given how Hannah Hampton immediately played a long ball to her from kick-off and it sailed over her head. Credit to Jess Park for the press - that’s what she’s in the team for. Beever-Jones slipped on the finish and the contact wasn’t clean - but that’s a big moment.
GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 Portugal (Aggie Beever-Jones, 4 minutes)
19:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleA lightning start from England and Aggie Beever-Jones is there to pounce!
Poor from Portugal! A risky pass across midfield just outside their own box allows Jess Park to put Andreia Norton under pressure, with the Benfica player coughing up possession. Beever-Jones seizes the chance and slots home.
England 0-0 Portugal, 2 minutes
19:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleClinton is on the offensive this time, looking to latch on to a lift forwards after neat interplay between Aggie Beever-Jones and Beth Mead. Portugal get bodies back to clear.
England 0-0 Portugal, 1 minute
19:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleA bright start in possession from Portugal, zipping it around a few English bodies down the left. Strong tackling from Grace Clinton ensures no particularly threatening progress is made.
KICK OFF!
19:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleA peep of the whistle and off we go! England kick proceedings off - will Sarina Wiegman like what she sees with the Euros looming?
England vs Portugal
19:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe few Portugal fans among the assembly wave their national colours enthusiastically as their jaunty anthem sounds. England look fully focussed on the task at hand.
England vs Portugal
19:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleWembley is slightly more sparsely populated than it has been for some recent Lionesses visits, but a crowd of more than 50,000 is still a very good number. In the tunnel, the players are ready to go.
Aggie Beever-Jones gets another shot
19:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a first England appearance at Wembley for Aggie Beever-Jones on the back of a fine season for Chelsea. One suspects she will have a bench role in Switzerland but this is a real opportunity for the forward to stake her claim to a starting spot tonight - can she help deconstruct this strong Portuguese backline?
England to debut Euro 2025 kit against Portugal
19:30 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland will tonight play in their new kits the Lionesses will be wearing at Euro 2025 this summer.
England won the Euros on home soil three years ago and the new Nike designs are said to honour that victory as well as the pioneers of the past.
The home kit takes inspiration from the 1980s, reflecting the England shirt worn at the 1982 men’s World Cup, with a blue and red print across the chest. England will also play in blue shorts.
Lionesses unveil Euro 2025 kits with hint to iconic 1982 England design
Eyes on Hannah Hampton
19:23 , Jamie BraidwoodCheers for Hannah Hampton as the England line-up is announced at Wembley, though not as loud as the reception that would usually greet the name of Mary Earps.
With Earps not here, the England fan favourite is now, by far, captain Leah Williamson. Hampton is now firmly England’s No 1 and this is her fourth consecutive start for the Lionesses.
England's Women's Nations League standings
19:20 , Jamie BraidwoodSpain head into the final two fixtures of the Nations League group phase on nine points, two clear of England after winning three of their four games.
England are on seven points but go to Spain on Tuesday after playing Portugal tonight. The Lionesses know that their fate is in their hands and two wins would see them through to the semi-finals.
England's Women's Nations League results
19:10 , Jamie BraidwoodPortugal 1-1 England
England 1-0 Spain
England 5-0 Belgium
Belgium 3-2 England
Portugal team news
18:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt looks like it may be a back five for Portugal again, much like they used to frustrate England in February.
Portugal XI: Pereira; Borges, Costa, F. Pinto; Norton, Jacinto, Do. Silva (capt.), T. Pinto, Amado; Capeta, Di. Silva.
England team news
18:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleAggie Beever-Jones is given another opportunity up front, with Lauren Hemp back in the side after injury.
England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Carter; Walsh, Clinton, Park; Mead, Beever-Jones, Hemp.
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— Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 30, 2025
Key England trio return for Nations League fixtures
18:40 , Jamie BraidwoodLauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood are all back in the England squad after long-term injury lay-offs.
Hemp and Greenwood returned to play in Manchester City’s final game of the season but Stanway was named in the England squad despite not playing any games this year. The midfielder suffered a knee injury in Bayern Munich training in January.
Sarina Wiegman supports Millie Bright's decision to take time off
18:25 , Jamie BraidwoodSarina Wiegman said England are trying their “very best” to support their players’ mental health. Wiegman also said she hopes Millie Bright will be back in time to be apart of their Euros squad.
“She has to take care of herself, we’ll stay in contact and I hope she feels better soon. I hope that she takes the time that will help her to get settled again in time for the Euros.
“We absolutely try our very, very best. I hope players experience it that way too. Of course, in our journey so far, things have changed massively but it also comes with higher demands and we have to adapt to that and that’s not always easy.”
Leah Williamson 'devastated' by Mary Earps retirement
18:10 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland captain Leah Williamson said she was “devastated” to hear Mary Earps’ decision to retire and said the Lionesses would have had a better chance of winning the Euros with the goalkeeper in the squad.
“She’s one of my closest friends in football in terms of what we’ve been through together, the journey that we’ve been on so I’m devastated just because I love her, I love being her teammate,” Williamson said.
“The way that she wears the England shirt is an example to us all so I’m very sad, but for her, she thinks this is the best thing and I’ll support her in that always.
“I know playing for a country meant everything to her. So for her to come to that decision, I will always respect that first, and I care about Mary as a human first before a footballer.
“But of course, we’re a team and we want to win, and Mary in that team gives us a better chance of winning. I know that to be true.”
Lauren James getting closer to recovery
17:55 , Jamie BraidwoodLauren James was not named in England’s squad for the Nations League finale due to a hamstring injury which ruled the forward out of the end of Chelsea’s season.
But Sarina Wiegman offered a more encouraging update on her fitness ahead of the Euros, with England naming their squad for the tournament next week.
“We want to get her back for the Euros and she wants that too,” Wiegman said. “So far she has ticked the boxes that she needs to tick. We just hope she keeps moving forward so that she can join the team later on.”
England also without Alessia Russo and Ella Toone
17:40 , Jamie BraidwoodAlessia Russo and Ella Toone will play no part in tonight’s match against Portugal due to calf injuries, but could return in time to face Spain on Tuesday.
Russo is one of five Arsenal players in the England squad to have won the Women’s Champions League last week. Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy are available.
Aggie Beever-Jones, Nikita Parris or even Michelle Agyemang could replace Russo up front for the Lionesses.
Millie Bright withdraws from England squad to look after physical and mental health
17:25 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland vice-captain Millie Bright has decided to take a break before the Euros after revealing she was physically and mentally burnt out.
The Chelsea defender has withdrawn from the squad to face Portugal and Spain, with the FA saying she was taking an “extended period of recovery”.
"I think mentally and physically I'm at my limits, which is why I'm not at camp," Bright said on her podcast with Rachel Daly.
"That is a really hard decision but I think you know better than anyone as well. Sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself.
"You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you."
Sarina Wiegman keeps talks with Mary Earps private
17:10 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland coach Sarina Wiegman admits she was left “disappointed” and “sad” by Mary Earps’ decision to retire before Euro 2025.
Earps has opted to call time on her availability for the Lionesses just five weeks before the European Championship.
"I just want to keep it that I'm disappointed and I'm sad,” said the England boss. “I want her in the team and I just want to express the same things that I already have and I want to keep it that way.
"She has done such a great job for England. She has made a massive difference and we have had an incredible journey so far and I really cherish that.
"There have been a couple of conversations which I don't want to share here because they are between us. It's hard and it's hard for her at the same time.”
England rocked by Mary Earps retirement before Euro 2025
17:02 , Jamie BraidwoodThere’s only been one talking point before this evening’s match at Wembley: Mary Earps’ retirement from England duty ahead of this summer’s Euro 2025.
The goalkeeper announced in a statement on Tuesday: “I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players.
“I’ve spent a long time making this decision and it’s not one I’ve made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive.
“Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life, and I’m rooting for the girls to do it again this summer.”
Is England vs Portugal on TV?
17:01 , Jamie BraidwoodIt will be shown live on ITV 4, with coverage starting from 7pm. A live stream will be available on ITV X. Kick-off at Wembley is at 19:45pm.
Hello and welcome
17:00 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland face Portugal at Wembley in the start to the finale to the Women’s Nations League campaign.
The Lionesses were rocked this week by the news of Mary Earps’ shock retirement ahead of this summer’s Euro 2025.
But Sarina Wiegman is urging her players to look forward as they continue their Euro preparations, with just a month to go until the opening game against France in Switzerland.
The Lionesses came into the final two games of Nations League Group A3 two points behind leaders Spain in the table.
As England face world champions Spain away from home on Tuesday, a win for the Lionesses tonight will keep their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals alive.
