In the middle of the vast expanse of Wembley will be two players whose impact in reaching the Euro 2022 final may only be matched by their importance in determining its outcome. For England, the intelligence of Keira Walsh and the confidence of her passing in midfield has been illustrative of the cool and calculated plans of her manager Sarina Wiegman. On the other side, Lena Oberdorf has represented a fresh, bold Germany team, whose strength and assurance has grown throughout the tournament to set up this most intriguing of finals.
There will, of course, be plenty of other parts at play when the Lionesses face Germany in front of a record-breaking crowd of 87,000 at Wembley but in the battlegrounds of midfield, the most significant pressure will be exerted on the two opposing and contrasting pillars of either side. In what will be the biggest match of their lives, any cracks that show could be fatal.
