After Hannah Hampton’s injury, Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating was given a chance in the national team, making her England debut against Brazil.
- England fell 2–1 to Brazil in a home friendly, dampening the Lionesses’ return to English soil after their Euro 2025 triumph.
- The match marked the start of a new cycle under Sarina Wiegman, who used it to experiment with players and tactics ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
- Wiegman acknowledged the pain of losing despite the fixture’s low stakes, saying: “It hurts … but it’s not the Euros or the World Cup. You can take these opportunities to try out things.”
- The game saw a debut for 20-year-old goalkeeper Khiara Keating, starting in place of injured Euro 2025 star Hannah Hampton.
- Playing at her home ground, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, Keating received warm applause from fans — some wearing shirts with her name — and quickly became part of a historic moment.
- Despite England conceding twice in the opening 18 minutes (neither goal her fault), Keating responded with composure as Georgia Stanway pulled one back for a 2–1 final score.
- Keating became the first Black female goalkeeper to represent England, calling it “bonkers” but expressing pride and hope that “the gap for the next one isn’t as big.” Wiegman praised her calmness, maturity, and ball-playing ability under pressure
