Latest news with #Agyemang
Metro
an hour ago
- Sport
- Metro
Agyemang reacts to wild journey from England ball girl to Euro 2025 saviour
Michelle Agyemang is loving her 'crazy' experience at Euro 2025, becoming England's hero just four years after being a ball girl at a Lionesses game. The 19-year-old scored the 96th minute equaliser for England against Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday before Chloe Kelly netted the winner in extra-time to send Sarina Wiegman's team into the final. It was Agyemang's third goal in just four caps having also scored the equaliser in the quarter-finals against Sweden. The Arsenal striker, who spent last season on loan at Brighton, has come a long way in a very short amount of time. The teenager was a ball girl in Wiegman's third game in charge of England four years ago and now she is a national hero, a wild journey although she remains incredibly humble about it. 'It means the world to me, I'm so grateful, and as I always say I'm so grateful to God for where he's brought me from,' she told ITV. 'Four years ago, I was just a kid throwing the ball to some of these girls, now I'm here playing with them! It's a great opportunity and I'm so happy that I'm here.' On her superb scoring record so early in her international career, she joked: 'It's decent! To be doing this at this level and helping out this team is more than what I could have wished for, I'm so grateful to be here.' She added on Sky Sports: 'I'm buzzing, I might not look it but I am buzzing, It's crazy to do that two games in a row in that kind of fashion. It shows the character of this team and I'm so grateful that we're still here to see another week.' Agyemang was only called up to the England squad for the first time in April this year and has felt welcomed by her teammates who have achieved so much beforehand. 'I think being here for such a short amount of time, my teammates have been so supportive,' she said. 'It's easy to come here and not really be connected to a team because of the short amount of time but the team have really taken me in and I'm so grateful for every single person on this team.' Asked whether she expected tournament football to be quite as dramatic as it has been in Switzerland so far, she said: 'Absolutely not! Oh my goodness! It's a lot! But it's a lot of learning and experience. I'm so grateful that I'm here. 'I'm so happy to be here and bring on Basel! I'm excited for whoever we play against.' Speaking of her ball girl experience during a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland four years ago, Agyemang told BBC Sport: 'It was crazy. 'Seeing the girls so close to my face. Beth Mead got a hat-trick that day, so to be a part of that experience was invaluable and I'll never forget it.' There is no romanticism in her selection, though, with Wiegman not surprised by her killer instincts in the penalty box. Speaking after her heroics against Sweden, the manager said of the striker: 'This is basically why we selected her. 'We know she hasn't been in our environment for a long period of time, but the moment she came in she did really well and she brings something different. 'She has shown that in training, against Belgium, against France. She's so strong and then she scores a goal too. She's shown that she can do that.' Wiegman added after the teenager's goal against the Italians: 'She has something special. She's only 19 years old, she's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do. 'When you talk about little things that she picks up straight away, because she's not only in the 18-yard box very dangerous but when we have to go to her as a target player, she keeps the ball really well too. 'Even when you saw her shot hit the crossbar, that was not just a shot, she was aiming for it. If she continues like this she has a very bright future.' Agyemang is unlikely to start Sunday's final against either Germany or Spain, likely sticking to her super sub role, but her teammates are well aware of what she brings to the table. More Trending Pubs can stay open until 1am for England vs Italy Euros semi final 'She feels inevitable right now,' captain Leah Williamson said of the striker. Lucy Bronze added: 'You see it when she comes on. Defenders are petrified of her.' Esme Morgan said: 'She has such awareness of where she needs to be in the box. She's just such an incredibly intelligent player to know what spaces to pick up and then such a composed finisher when she gets the opportunity. She's an incredible person to be able to rely on.' MORE: Italy complain about England penalty after Euro 2025 heartbreak MORE: England hero Chloe Kelly reveals Arsenal legend inspired iconic goal celebration MORE: Sarina Wiegman singles out 'special' England star and provides Lauren James injury update
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Sarina Wiegman singles out one England star with two-word verdict on Euros heroics
Michelle Agyemang salvaged England's Euro 2025 campaign for the second time - after scoring an important goal against Italy - and Sarina Wiegman believes the teenage sensation has a "very bright future" Sarina Wiegman has heaped praise on England's young star Michelle Agyemang, hailing her as "something special" after the 19 year old once again played the role of saviour for the Lionesses at Euro 2025. The teenager's heroics ensured England's dramatic comeback against Italy and secured their spot in the final. Agyemang, who has already netted three goals in her first four caps, was instrumental in turning the tide during the semi-final clash in Geneva. Despite Italy's Barbara Bonansea putting the underdogs ahead, it was Agyemang who came off the bench to rescue England, just as she did in the quarter-final against Sweden. The youngest member of the Lionesses' squad made a significant impact late in the second half, scoring a late goal to take the match to extra-time - and she also hit the crossbar in extra time. Chloe Kelly then followed up by smashing home the rebound from her own saved penalty, sealing the victory. Wiegman couldn't hide her admiration for Agyemang's talent and maturity at such a young age. "She has something special," the England boss gushed. "She's only 19-years-old, she's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do." The manager highlighted Agyemang's quick learning ability and versatility, noting her threat inside the box and her effectiveness as a target player. Wiegman was particularly impressed with Agyemang's precision, even when striking the woodwork, and predicted a dazzling future for the youngster if she maintains her trajectory. Despite the meteoric rise of the major tournament debutant who netted just 41 seconds into her England debut in April, Wiegman is not compelled to give her more playtime. "She's not forcing me," Wiegman firmly stated, having led teams to three consecutive European finals and now chasing a third trophy – one with the Netherlands and potentially two with England if they triumph in Sunday's Basel final. "I think she is very grateful she gets minutes, and she's really ready for it. I think her growth and her development went so quickly, from not starting at Brighton, being on loan, to getting lots more minutes and showing how good she is and coming into our team. "I think how these things go, (they've gone) pretty smoothly for her, and I think she feels very good about that." England are poised to discover their opponents for Sunday's showdown – either World Cup champions Spain or Germany, whom England defeated 2-1 in the final of their home Euros to clinch their first major trophy in 2022 after Kelly's extra-time goal. Agyemang, returning to Arsenal after her loan spell, has earned accolades from Gunners teammate and England skipper Williamson – the player she substituted with five minutes left in normal time. "She feels inevitable right now," Williamson remarked. "I think she's quality. I think what she brings, she's a nightmare to play against. I'm glad she's my teammate at club and country. "She deserves her flowers. I hope she gets them. I hope she enjoys tonight, and then I hope she's ready to go at the weekend." Arsenal's own Chloe Kelly, fresh from inking a permanent deal with the club earlier this month, was over the moon, feeling like she was living in a "fantasy" and bursting with pride to be English after etching her name further into the nation's footballing annals. Agyemang's impact on the pitch didn't escape her notice, as Kelly lauded her for sparking a turnaround, "made something happen for the team, got us back in the game, and built so much momentum for us." Kelly couldn't hide her admiration, especially highlighting a moment that nearly broke the deadlock: "Especially that one where she hits the crossbar, I think that gave us a new lease of energy. She was unbelievable tonight. She gave us a lot of confidence, and when your forward is doing that, it's special." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘She has something special' – Sarina Wiegman praises Michelle Agyemang as England deny Italy
Agyemang has scored three times in her first four appearances for the defending champions, who were initially stunned in their 2-1 last-four comeback victory over Italy when Barbara Bonansea opened the scoring for the underdogs 33 minutes into the Geneva semi-final. But just as she did in their quarter-final against Sweden, the youngest Lioness in Switzerland came off the bench and levelled late in the second-half. clipping the crossbar in extra-time before fellow replacement Chloe Kelly emphatically buried the rebound from her own saved penalty late in the second period. "She has something special," Wiegman said of Agyemang, who levelled with less than two minutes remaining in second-half stoppage time. "She's only 19-years-old, she's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do. "When you talk about little things that she picks up straight away, because she's not only in the 18-yard box very dangerous but when we have to go to her as a target player, she keeps the ball really well too. "Even when you saw her shot hit the crossbar, that was not just a shot, she was aiming for it. If she continues like this she has a very bright future." Despite her tremendous trajectory, Wiegman does not feel pressure to give the major tournament debutant, who scored 41 seconds into her England debut in April, more minutes than she has so far. "She's not forcing me," insisted Wiegman, who has now guided teams to three consecutive European finals, and will aim to make it a hat-trick of three trophies - one with the Netherlands and two with England - with victory in Sunday's Basel final. "I think she is very grateful she gets minutes, and she's really ready for it. I think her growth and her development went so quickly, from not starting at Brighton, being on loan, to getting lots more minutes and showing how good she is and coming into our team. "I think how these things go, (they've gone) pretty smoothly for her, and I think she feels very good about that. ADVERTISEMENT England await their opponents for Sunday's final - either World Cup holders Spain or Germany, who England beat 2-1 in the final of their home Euros to lift their first major trophy in 2022 after Kelly scored in extra time. Agyemang, who returned to parent club Arsenal at the conclusion of the last campaign, drew high praise from Gunners team-mate and England captain Williamson - the woman she replaced with five minutes remaining in normal time. "She feels inevitable right now," said Williamson. "I think she's quality. I think what she brings, she's a nightmare to play against. I'm glad she's my teammate at club and country. "She deserves her flowers. I hope she gets them. I hope she enjoys tonight, and then I hope she's ready to go at the weekend." Fellow Gunner Kelly, who signed a permanent agreement with Arsenal earlier this month, said she felt like she was in a "fantasy" and was feeling "so proud to be English" after writing more history for her country. Agyemang, she said, "made something happen for the team, got us back in the game, and built so much momentum for us. "Especially that one where she hits the crossbar, I think that gave us a new lease of energy. She was unbelievable tonight. She gave us a lot of confidence, and when your forward is doing that, it's special."
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
England saviour Michelle Agyemang ‘something special' says Sarina Wiegman
Agyemang has scored three times in her first four appearances for the defending champions, who were initially stunned in their 2-1 last-four comeback victory over Italy when Barbara Bonansea opened the scoring for the underdogs 33 minutes into the Geneva semi-final. But just as she did in their quarter-final against Sweden, the youngest Lioness in Switzerland came off the bench and levelled late in the second-half. clipping the crossbar in extra-time before fellow replacement Chloe Kelly emphatically buried the rebound from her own saved penalty late in the second period.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to watch Women's Euro final as England secures place after dramatic comeback
England's Lionesses have secured their place in the 2025 Women's Euros final after a dramatic comeback against Italy. Last night, the team were able to snag themselves a 2-1 victory after spending much of the match lagging 1-0 behind. The comeback began when 19-year-old Agyemang equalised the game during extra time, with the winning goal later being scored by Kelly. Now, England will have to face off against either Spain or Germany in this week's final. If you're planning on watching the major Euros game, here is everything you need to know. When will the 2025 Women's Euro final take place? The final, which will be played between England and either Spain or Germany, will take place on Sunday, July 27, at around 5pm (GMT). Spain and Germany are set to clash tonight (Wednesday, July 23) at around 8pm. Those wanting to watch the two European sides play can do so by switching over to BBC One to view Match of the Day's live coverage of the event. Recommended Reading: England's Jess Carter 'steps back' from social media due to racist abuse in Euros Who is the manager of England's Lionesses? 5 things to know about Sarina Wiegman Defending champions England 'bullied' by France in first match at Women's Euros How to watch the 2025 Women's Euro final in the UK Those wanting to watch the final from the comfort of their own homes will be able to do so by tuning into ITV1 and BBC One from 4pm when pre-match coverage begins. The game will also be available to watch on-demand via streaming platforms ITVX and BBC iPlayer. Kickoff for the match, which is being held in Switzerland, will take place at around 5pm.
