Hampton, who has been playing her first major tournament as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, had big shoes to fill in Switzerland.
Earps – twice named as the best women’s goalkeeper in the world – had played significant roles in England’s victory at Euro 2022 and on the way to the 2023 World Cup final.
But Hampton, who looked likely to start at the Euros even before Earps’ retirement, has proved she deserves the number one shirt.
“At the start of the tournament did you think Hannah Hampton would be the star? Perhaps not. You wondered how she was going to do,” ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said.
“Look how well she has done on the biggest stage. To save those penalties – and these were really good saves. She backed herself 100%.
“An amazing moment to see her be that important to the team.”
Just months after England’s Euro triumph in 2022, Hampton was dropped from the squad.
Reports suggested it was because of her behaviour, and she had to wait until March 2023 for a recall, when Wiegman said Hampton had “sorted out personal issues”.
Speaking to BBC One following her shootout heroics in the 2025 final, Hampton said: “All I can really say is thank you to Sarina [Wiegman] for all the belief and faith that she’s had in me.
“She knew what I was capable of and she really put that in me to really go and showcase what I can do.”
Hampton, who helped Chelsea win a domestic treble this season, has shown exactly what she is capable of throughout the tournament.
After losing their opening game against France, Hampton was instrumental in helping England bounce back against the Netherlands – with a sublime defence-splitting pass starting the attack for England’s first goal and setting the tempo for a statement 4-0 performance.
Then, in their quarter-final against Sweden, she pulled off two brilliant saves in the shootout to help keep England’s title defence alive.
“The girls have run around for 120 minutes, so the least I can do is save a couple of pens here and there and help the team out in any way I can,” Hampton told BBC Radio 5 Live after the final.
She added on BBC One: “There’s still a lot more to come from me. For my first major tournament, to win it is not too bad.”
