Smart stops. Rapid reflexes. And acrobatic agility.

Without Mary Earps would England be right here in a World Cup quarter-final?

With three clear sheets in 4 video games and Monday's penalty shootout success against Nigeria, the goalkeeper is a Lioness being lauded.

"I try to block out as much of the noise as possible," Earps stated forward of Saturday's assembly with Colombia. "But I very much hope that they're praising goalkeepers. I think the performances have been fantastic and deserve a lot of credit."

But if you wish to replicate the Earps look you can't. England goalkeepers' jerseys are nonetheless not offered to the general public - an anomaly greater than 37,000 individuals have signed a petition urging Nike to reverse.

"It did tickle me that I've got to say," Earps stated. "I know that it is being looked into by the relevant parties at various levels and it will be a conversation that we pick up post-tournament.

"But I simply need to thank everybody for his or her help on that."

Support that may solely develop if the European champions can beat Colombia at Stadium Australia in Sydney and attain a 3rd consecutive Women's World Cup semi-final.

Colombia have by no means made it to the quarter-finals earlier than. But they've already helped to knock out two-time champions Germany.

Read extra:Lauren James apologises to Nigerian player after red cardWiegman turning over every stone to find a path to World Cup glory

England must cope with out high scorer

England can even need to cope with out event high scorer Lauren James who's beginning a two-match suspension for a stamp in opposition to Nigeria.

"Lauren is doing fine," Earps stated. "Obviously, what she did was wrong and she knows it was wrong. She apologised for it publicly. Now she faces the consequences.

"As a group we stick collectively and we stand behind her in that."

Replacing her goals could determine England's progress - James has scored three of the eight scored.

'You've seen glimpses of what we're able to'

Aside from the 6-1 thrashing of China, England have solely secured 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark and the match in opposition to Nigeria was goalless after 120 minutes - because of Earps' saves.

The 2022 European Championship winner stated: "I don't think we've been bad by any means, but you've seen glimpses of what we're capable of. We know and understand where we want to get to. We know we can give more."

Without having to undergo penalties once more - as have been required to get previous Nigeria.

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'Not one sport is straightforward for anybody'

England supervisor Sarina Wiegman stated: "I hope we don't have that much stress. We've seen in this tournament that not one game is easy for anyone. It is so competitive.

"That's the great thing about the sport too. It's additionally the great thing about the expansion of ladies's soccer."

That growth is reflected by the fact this Women's World Cup will have a first-time champion.

The last former champions standing - 2011 winners Japan - have been toppled by Sweden, who previously knocked out the holders from America.

The 2019 runners-up were also sent packing with the Netherlands beaten 2-1 by Spain, who reached their first Women's World Cup semi-final at only their third tournament appearance.

"You can see how tight these video games have been on this event," Earps said. "The stage of groups which have left the competitors. I believe that simply reveals what an unbelievable place that the ladies's sport is in."