Keira Walsh is set to make her 100th appearance for England in a blockbuster friendly against world champions Spain at Wembley on Tuesday. The 29-year-old midfielder has become an integral part of Sarina Wiegman's squad, helping the Lionesses to back-to-back European titles. She could captain the side with Arsenal defender Leah Williamson's fitness in doubt. "Obviously it's a very exciting moment. When I started playing football I didn't think this was possible," said Walsh.

Walsh made her debut in front of less than 10,000 fans in a 5-0 win over Kazakhstan at Colchester Community Stadium in November 2017. The contrast with Tuesday's occasion could not be starker—75,000 spectators at Wembley against one of the best teams in the world. "That shows the growth of the women's game," Walsh reflected. "There are some of us in the squad who were part of it when the women's game wasn't quite there."

Walsh's technical ability and passing range have made her indispensable, starting nearly every game at major tournaments—she only missed one match at the 2023 World Cup due to a knee injury. She earned player of the match honors in the Euro 2022 final and was awarded an MBE in the King's New Year Honours for 2026. Manager Sarina Wiegman praised her vision, calling her "an important player in leading the team in how we want to play." Captain Leah Williamson said: "If Keira's good and if Keira's flying, the team's flying."