After playing a big part in helping England achieve a 0-0 draw with Germany on Thursday, Karen Bardsley said the future is bright for the Lionesses.
The goalkeeper made a number of top-drawer saves to deny Felicitas Rauch, Leonie Maier and Dzsenifer Marozsan and keep the eight-time European champions at bay in Duisburg.
But England still had their own chances through Jill Scott, Jordan Nobbs and most notably Demi Stokes, and Bardsley believes her team-mates’ display proves that they can now be considered among the world’s elite.
Germany 0-0 England
A Women's International
Thursday 26 November
Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg
She said: “It was a really good night for us, we all really enjoyed it and I think that showed in our performance on the pitch.
“The back four played really well and they made it pretty predictable for me. They were in the right places so I could make the saves.
“It was another good performance for me and a good performance for the girls, and a happy memory coming back from Germany for once.
“We’ve got some really good players and there’s a lot to look forward to in the next few years.”
The draw in Duisburg was only England’s third against Germany in 22 matches.
And it comes on the back of their defeat of the same opposition in Canada which secured World Cup bronze in July.
England pose with their bronze medals in Canada
And Manchester City star Bardsley said it was important Mark Sampson’s side put in another top-quality performance just four months after.
The 31-year-old said: “We really wanted this. We wanted to make sure the World Cup wasn’t a fluke.
“We didn’t have a point to prove but we are ready to start changing the rivalry between England and Germany and try to tip the scales in our favour.
“In the past we have come to Germany and we knew it was going to be a momentous task.
“But since our performances at the World Cup, I think we’re looking forward to believing in ourselves more and believing that, actually, we are quite a good team.”
Next up for England is a Euro 2017 qualifier against Bosnia & Herzegovina at Bristol City FC on Sunday.
Tickets are priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, and can be purchased via TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 01179 630 600.
A family ticket (two adults and two children), priced £10, is also available.
