She had fielded questions regarding Earps’ retirement on Thursday, admitting it had been a “hard” start to the week.
Wiegman was visibly emotional, reflecting on the good times they shared together and unwilling to discuss how frustrating the sudden departure of the 32-year-old may be.
With only 13 caps for Hampton prior to kick-off, and none for the other two goalkeepers in the squad, fears were raised about their inexperience.
But when the team in front plays so well, it quickly becomes less of a concern.
Hampton spent the majority of the second half stood still, watching on as her team-mates tried to add to their five first-half goals, managing one more through Chloe Kelly.
Hat-trick hero Beever-Jones gave some insight into Wiegman’s talk before the Group A3 tie: “She said before the game, ‘it’s a new kit, it’s a new England, we have a new squad’.”
But it wasn’t a new England, it was a “vintage” England, according to Bardsley, who was waxing lyrical by the time the fifth goal came in only the 33rd minute, sealing a treble for Beever-Jones.
Lucy Bronze nodded in England’s second, while Beth Mead joined in on the action and substitute Kelly added the finishing touch with the sixth in the 62nd minute.
“This is reminding me of vintage England, casting myself back to 2022,” said Bardsley, who made 81 appearances for the Lionesses. “Portugal have been poor, but among the noise, it is so wonderful to see the girls with smiles on their faces.”
They were not the only ones with smiles on their faces as supporters danced and celebrated at full-time, clearly encouraged by what they had witnessed.
England’s form has dipped throughout the last 18 months. Just seven weeks ago they were beaten in Leuven by Belgium – who are bottom of the Women’s Nations League group – and two months after picking up a victory over world champions Spain at Wembley.
But the Lionesses showed they were up to the task when the pressure was on, buoyed by the return of key players Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood from injury.
“There has been a lot of noise [this week] and players wanted to put that to bed,” added Johnson.
“Questions in the press conference were relentless and they are going to be. They just want to talk about football and they made it all about the football.
“Mary [Earps] will be missed, but when you score six goals in the fashion they did, we are just talking about the football and how good England were.”
