Three Liverpool FC Women players were on international duty on Wednesday with very different outcomes.

Fuka Nagano and Risa Shimizu featured as Japan beat the United States 1-0 in Seattle in the second of three scheduled friendlies between the nations this month, while Zara Shaw endured a painful evening as England Under-19s lost 2-0 to Switzerland in a European Championship qualifier that ended their hopes of reaching the finals entirely.

The contrast in fortunes between the Liverpool trio tells its own story about where each player stands in their respective international journeys right now.

Nagano and Shimizu Impress Before Being Withdrawn

Both Japanese internationals started the match in Seattle and contributed to a disciplined team performance that kept the Americans at bay throughout. Japan securing back-to-back victories in this series represents genuine progress for a nation rebuilding ahead of the next major international tournament cycle.

Nagano and Shimizu were substituted during the second half as the coaching staff managed minutes across a busy schedule, with a third fixture still remaining in this international window.

Shaw Devastated as England Under-19s Crash Out

The result in Switzerland was brutal for Shaw and her England teammates, with the 2-0 defeat ending their European Championship qualification campaign at this stage. Missing out on the finals this summer is a significant blow for a generation of young English players who will now have to wait for another opportunity to test themselves at that level.

Shaw played every minute of the match, which shows the faith the coaching staff have in the Liverpool youngster despite the disappointing collective outcome.

Liverpool Will Hope All Three Return Uninjured

With the Merseyside derby approaching and the WSL season reaching its conclusion, Faye Lygo will be relieved to have her international contingent back in training shortly. Every available body matters enormously during this final stretch of the campaign.

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Mary Earps received a standing ovation at Wembley on Tuesday night before England defeated world champions Spain 1-0 in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier, with Lauren Hemp’s third-minute strike proving the difference.

The pre-match ceremony honouring the former England goalkeeper carried enormous emotional weight, given everything that had surrounded her explosive autobiography and subsequent fallout with Sarina Wiegman and Hannah Hampton in recent months.
Leah Williamson sprinted towards Earps the moment she appeared on the pitch.

Lucy Bronze had her arm around her seconds later. Whatever tensions existed behind closed doors, the Lionesses made their feelings clear publicly, and the Wembley crowd roared throughout. Wiegman had asked fans beforehand to welcome Earps warmly rather than make the evening uncomfortable, but she need not have bothered worrying.

Hampton Silences Every Critic With 90th Minute Save

The narrative could not have been written more dramatically. Hampton, who had been publicly criticised in Earps’ book and has struggled for confidence at Chelsea this season, produced a stunning stoppage time save to preserve the victory against a Spanish side who had dominated large spells. Keira Walsh called it unbelievable. Fran Kirby on BBC commentary acknowledged Hampton had arrived in camp with serious question marks hanging over her, but suggested this moment could transform her season entirely. It very well might.

Earps Finally Gets the Farewell She Deserved

Eight years, 53 caps, a European Championship, a World Cup final penalty save and a landmark battle that forced Nike into producing women’s goalkeeper replica kits. Earps retiring under a cloud of controversy last year always felt unfair given her contribution to women’s football.

Tuesday night finally gave her the proper send off her career warranted, with FA chair Debbie Hewitt presenting flowers and a framed shirt before a packed Wembley crowd. The toxicity has gone. The legacy remains entirely intact.

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Katie McCabe delivered when it mattered most on Tuesday, volleying a stunning effort into the bottom right corner to hand Republic of Ireland a crucial 3-2 victory away to Poland in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The Arsenal skipper was involved from start to finish, completing the full 90 minutes as Ireland climbed to third place in Group B with their maiden qualifying win of the campaign.

McCabe took to Instagram postgame with a clear focus: “All about the three points tonight. Big one Saturday, see you at the Aviva.”

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Lionesses Dominate Spain at Wembley
Over at Wembley, England made it three wins from three in Group C with a 1-0 result against Spain. Alessia Russo produced a clever assist for Lauren Hemp’s opener in just the third minute, scooping the ball forward while off balance.

Lotte Wubben-Moy also went the full 90 minutes for the Lionesses, who now sit three points clear of Spain at the summit. Chloe Kelly came on late in proceedings, while Beth Mead and Taylor Hinds were unused substitutes.

Leah Williamson was absent from the matchday squad entirely.

Dutch Delight and More Qualifying Drama
Netherlands edged France 2-1 at home to move to the top of Group B, with Daphne van Domselaar playing the full match and Victoria Pelova contributing 71 minutes.

Norway cruised to a 5-0 win over Slovenia in Group D, with Frida Maanum on the pitch for 68 minutes. Sweden suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Denmark, leaving them third in Group A.

In the FIFA Series, Olivia Smith played 60 minutes as Canada beat Korea Republic 3-1, building on their earlier 4-0 win over Zambia in which she set up Annabelle Chukwu’s goal.

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