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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<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 fumbled second Netherlands goal </li><li>Was harsh on herself for uncharacteristic error</li><li>Mead backed teammate to the hilt</li></ul>

‘We back Mary Earps 100 per cent’ - Arsenal’s Beth Mead the latest England star to throw support behind Lionesses goalkeeper after her clanger in win over the Netherlands

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Earps had a nightmarish outing against the Dutch in the Nations League on Friday. The 30-year-old <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/Mary-earps-howler-england-netherlands/blt363736c6301fb7b2" target="_blank">spooned the ball into her own net</a> after Lineth Beerensteyn tried her luck with a tame effort on goal. She was distraught with her performance after the match and admitted that the error <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/haunt-me-long-time-mary-earps-apologises-letting-team-down-england-goalkeeper-netherlands-3-2-win/blt3104353160910124#cs156c3d308b20e8fe" target="_blank">would "haunt" her for a long time.</a> However, Mead kept her back and claimed that the entire team was rallying behind Earps.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Mead said: "Plenty of us have already put their arms around her shoulder. Mary has been a vital part of this team being so successful. It happens. Unfortunately as a keeper, it is unlucky. But Mary has been incredible. Whatever people are saying, we don't care. We back Mary 100 per cent all the way. She is an incredible teammate, human, and she deserves all the success she has had."

WHAT MEAD SAID ABOUT EARPS

It was a special occasion for Mead as it was the first international appearance in over a year for the Arsenal forward after she had ruptured her ACL back in November 2022. Sarina Wiegman threw her in when the team was trailing 2-0 and the coach's decision was vindicated by Mead as she was instrumental in mounting a spirited comeback at Wembley. "It is a dream come true," she said. "It has been a long time since I got the chance to play for England. High-pressure game. 2-0 down. To come on with a little bit of expectation to do something. But I am so happy to be out there. We were incredible in the second half."The days when I've struggled in the gym, long, hard training days of not being able to play football and do the thing that I love, makes it worthwhile to run out there in front of such a big Wembley crowd, getting a great reception and a ruthless second half of football.“The first half let us down. We were chasing the game and you don't want to be 2-0 down at half-time. But we had the belief in the team, we knew we could score goals and we came out fighting in the second half, I thought the team was amazing. Every single person on the pitch and every player that came on is a game changer. And now we've got to do that for 90 minutes and be more consistent throughout the (next) game."

WHAT MEAD SAID ABOUT HER COMEBACK

It was a crucial victory for the Lionesses as it kept their hopes of qualifying for next summer's Olympics alive. They will be back in action against Scotland in Glasgow on Tuesday's final matchday as they look to seal another three points. If the Dutch also win, then goal difference will be taken into account to decide the group leader and Wiegman's troops are currently three behind Beerensteyn and Co.

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

‘We back Mary Earps 100 per cent’ - Arsenal’s Beth Mead the latest England star to throw support behind Lionesses goalkeeper after her clanger in win over the Netherlands | Goal.com Australia

Beth Mead has insisted that the entire England squad is backing Mary Earps after her clanger during Friday&apos;s 3-2 comeback win over the Netherlands.