Teenage super-sub Agyemang emerges as England's star at Euro 2025

Yahoo

2 days ago

Michelle Agyemang may have been brought into the England squad for Euro 2025 as something of a wildcard but the teenager has followed a "crazy season" by playing a crucial role in helping the reigning champions reach this weekend's final.
Twice the Lionesses have been on the brink of elimination from the tournament in Switzerland only to be rescued by the 19-year-old Arsenal striker.
A ragged England trailed 2-0 in the quarter-final against Sweden in Zurich when coach Sarina Wiegman sent on Agyemang with 20 minutes left.
As the momentum started to swing their way, Lucy Bronze pulled a goal back before Agyemang equalised to force extra time, and England then triumphed in a remarkable penalty shoot-out.
The scenario in Geneva on Tuesday was even more dramatic, with Agyemang introduced in the 85th minute as her team trailed 1-0 against Italy in the semi-final –- she fired in the equaliser in the sixth minute of injury time and England went on to win 2-1 in extra time.
"It's crazy, you know, to do that two games in a row now in that kind of fashion," an elated Agyemang said.
"It shows the character of this team and I'm so grateful that we're still here to see another week."
The semi-final was heading to penalties until a late burst triggered by Agyemang hitting the bar with a brilliant lob –- moments later England won a spot-kick, and Chloe Kelly then scored after her initial effort was saved, sending her team through.
"Mich came onto the pitch and made something happen for the team, got us back into the game, and built up so much momentum for us," said Kelly.
"That moment when she hit the crossbar, I think that gave us a new lease of energy. She was unbelievable and she gave us a lot of confidence."
England await Germany or Spain in Sunday's final in Basel as they look to retain the title they won three years ago at Wembley, when Agyemang had not yet made her senior Arsenal debut.
- Wembley ball girl -
A few months before the last Euros, Agyemang was a ball girl at Wembley as England beat Northern Ireland in one of Sarina Wiegman's first games as coach.
Agyemang's bow for the Gunners came aged 16 in November 2022, and she made her senior England debut in April this year.
She did so in style, scoring 41 seconds after coming on against Belgium with a brilliant volley, proving to Wiegman her ability to make an impact from the bench.
"I said with the squad announcement already that she brings something special," Wiegman said.
"She is only 19, but she is very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do. If she continues like this she has a very bright future."
Agyemang has been loaned out by Arsenal, following a spell at second-tier Watford in 2023/24 by impressing at Brighton in the Women's Super League last season.
She is the youngest player in Wiegman's squad in Switzerland, but came on in the defeat by France in their opening group game and has now earned a reputation as a super-sub.
"It's been a crazy season for me being on loan and then getting the call-up at such a late time in the season. But, you know, everything happens for a reason," said Agyemang, who was in Lisbon to watch her parent club win the Women's Champions League in May.
"It's easy to come here and not really be connected to a team because of the short amount of time, but they have really taken me in and I'm so grateful."
There may now be some clamour for Agyemang –- who as a child idolised Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud –- to play a more prominent role in the final.
However, Wiegman appears likely to keep her young star on the bench, ready to emerge if England find themselves chasing the game again.
"She is very grateful to get minutes. Her growth and development went so quickly, from not starting at Brighton to getting lots more minutes and showing how good she is and coming into our team," the coach said.
"I think she feels very good about that."
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