Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

Flimsy Liverpool risk letting down Messi-like Salah in title race

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Man Utd three-peat or MLS? Pogba's transfer options - ranked

UCL Power Rankings: Barca No.1 after lucky draw as Liverpool fall

Editors' Picks

Walker’s wife Kilner jets to Dubai for night out with Rooney

'I regret leaving Barca' - Former wonderkid admits mistake after Camp Nou exit

Antony's hot Betis start is over as Barca flop Roque sees red

Bompastor admits 'lying for 13 years' over secret relationship

UCL last-16 draw: Liverpool land PSG, Arsenal face PSV

How to watch Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 from anywhere

Maguire, you lucky boy! VAR & Bruno save despairing Amorim

Title race run? Lewis-Skelly red card madness costs Arsenal

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Earps gets England start ahead of Hampton</li><li>Clinton and Toone in Stanway-less midfield</li><li>James to play first Lionesses game since April</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Mary Earps starts Lionesses' first game of 2025 as England boss Sarina Wiegman selects Grace Clinton in Georgia Stanway's injury absence

UEFA Nations League A

Belgium

Portugal

England

Spain

<p>Earps and Hampton are neck-and-neck in the race to be England's first-choice goalkeeper ahead of this summer's European Championships and it is the former who has been granted the first opportunity to show Sarina Wiegman why she should win that battle, in the Lionesses' first game of their new Nations League campaign.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>One of Wiegman's most interesting decisions for Friday night's game away at Portugal is in midfield, due to the injury absence of Georgia Stanway. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/georgia-stanway-s-euro-2025-participation-thrown-into-doubt-as-lionesses-and-bayern-munich-star-undergoes-surgery-after-horror-injury-blow-in-training/blt54ab381f46e80ad3" target="_blank">The Bayern Munich star had knee surgery at the end of January and is expected to be out for several months</a>, and it is 21-year-old Grace Clinton who Wiegman has turned to to fill her boots in the No.8 role in Portugal.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Ella Toone has got the nod in the No.10 position which means that Jess Park, who often plays in midfield at Manchester City, will operate from the wing instead. Lauren James starts on the opposite flank in what will be her first appearance for England since April, with Chelsea team-mate Niamh Charles also back in the Lionesses' line-up after her return from injury.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>England's second game of this international break will be played on Wednesday, when they welcome Spain, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/spain-queens-world-football-winners-losers-aitana-bonmati-england-lioneeses-lucy-bronze-world-cup-final/blt04b557c79149dd42" target="_blank">the world champions</a>, to Wembley for a rematch of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/england-women-s-player-ratings-spain-lucy-bronze-lionesses-world-cup/blt69bb44e53ae5d791" target="_blank">the 2023 Women's World Cup final</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

Mary Earps starts Lionesses' first game of 2025 as England boss Sarina Wiegman selects Grace Clinton in Georgia Stanway's injury absence | Goal.com

Mary Earps starts ahead of Hannah Hampton in the Lionesses&apos; first game of 2025 as the battle to be England No.1 resumes against Portugal.

Mary Earps starts Lionesses&apos; first game of 2025 as England boss Sarina Wiegman selects Grace Clinton in Georgia Stanway&apos;s injury absence

Next matches