ENGLAND goalkeeper Mary Earps claimed she "let the team down" after making an error during the Lionesses' 3-2 win over Netherlands on Friday.
The World Cup golden glove winner left the pitch in tears at full-time despite England's late comeback.
Sarina Wiegman's side had to win the match by at least two goals to keep their Nations League hopes alive and take control at the top of Group A1.
However, with the team already 1-0 down in the 35th minute, Earps let Lineth Beerensteyn's shot slip through her gloves and into the net.
The Lionesses were able to turn the match on its head after half time thanks to goals from Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Ella Toone.
But with one game still to play, England's fate in the competition is now out of their hands.
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Earps could not hide her disappointment after the match as she was consoled by her team-mates.
And in a post-match interview with ITV, the goalkeeper admitted that the error will continue to "haunt" her.
She said: "I'm sorry my performance cost the girls like that.
"That will haunt me for a long time. I've really let the team down today. I'm really gutted."
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4Earps added: "It could have been a really special night at Wembley. The team were unbelievable."
England boss Wiegman responded to the 30-year-old's comments in her post-match press conference, insisting that it was a team effort.
The Dutchwoman said: "I don’t want her to talk like that, because you win as a team and lose as a team
"She didn’t let the team down. Everyone does their best. You only let your team down when you don’t put effort in."
Arsenal legend Ian Wright was also quick to defend Earps on ITV.
He said: "I don’t think she should be beating herself up like she is, she looked really quite distressed there.
"The fact is on many occasions Mary Earps has saved this team. Unfortunately for her today she made a mistake that yes we needed two goals but we didn’t lose the game.
"Unfortunately we didn’t get the two goals but at the same time that’s what it’s about. It happens like that and her team has pulled her out of it. You’ve to take it on the chin and move on."
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Earps was voted BBC Women's Footballer of the Year earlier this week, beating Aitana Bonmati, Sam Kerr, Fridolina Rolfo and Alexandra Popp to the prize.
She also came fifth in the Ballon d'Or rankings – the highest a goalkeeper has placed since the female award was introduced.
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