Collapsing to the bottom, arms overlaying her eyes, Michelle Agyemang was overcome by the event. In a second when England desperately wanted a lifeline, the 19-year-old, whose surname fittingly means “saviour of the nation”, rose when it mattered essentially the most.
Somewhat-known teenage participant simply weeks in the past, her identify now lingers on each England soccer fan’s lips after her 96th-minute equalising purpose in opposition to Italy dragged the group from the jaws of defeat, because the Lionesses roared again into the UEFA Ladies’s Euro semifinal in Geneva.
Though Chloe Kelly sealed the comeback together with her extra-time winner, the highlight belonged to Agyemang, who stepped up when nobody else did, exhibiting a composure that belied her age.
Agyemang’s purpose in Tuesday’s win in opposition to Italy – a sensational double-nutmeg end – was the second time in 5 days she had rescued England with a “super-sub” efficiency, after additionally coming off the bench to attain a late equaliser of their quarterfinal victory over Sweden.
“Massive Mich at it once more!” Kelly informed ITV Sport. “She’s an unbelievable participant and he or she’s obtained the world at her ft. A younger participant with a brilliant future. I’m completely buzzing for her.”
From the stands of Stade de Geneve to the roar at Wembley Boxpark, Agyemang has stirred perception in hundreds of English followers when all the things appeared misplaced at Euro 2025. Along with her black braids trailing behind her blazing runs on the pitch, the striker is must-watch TV as she surges ahead with a mix of energy, poise and unselfish play.
“She performs past her years,” mentioned Ellen White, England’s Euro 2022 winner, on BBC. “The way in which she holds the ball up, brings others into play… What she’s executed with restricted minutes, she’s turned England’s historical past on its head and helped them attain one other closing.”
A star is born
Included within the England squad as a wild card choice, Agyemang, who’s of Ghanaian descent, has confirmed to be one of many breakout stars of the event, enjoying an important position within the reigning champions’ run to Sunday’s closing in opposition to Spain in Basel.
She earned a call-up for the European Championships regardless of having performed only one worldwide match for the Lionesses, turning into the youngest participant on the squad. Watching her glide by way of defenders and end with such calm at Euro 2025, it’s troublesome to consider Agyemang solely made her worldwide debut three months in the past.
As late as 2021, she stood on the sidelines as a ball lady on the well-known Wembley Stadium in London and tossed the soccer to a few of England’s present superstars throughout one among Sarina Wiegman’s first video games as nationwide coach.
“4 years in the past, I used to be a child, throwing balls to a few of these ladies, however now I’m right here enjoying with them. It’s a terrific alternative and I’m so glad I’m right here,” Agyemang mentioned.
“To be doing this at this stage, to be serving to out this group, is greater than what I might have wished for, so I’m so grateful to be right here.”
Agyemang’s composure on the grandest stage has been exceptional, however not stunning.
Making her worldwide debut in April, the 1.69-metre (5ft-6.5in) ahead fired off an excellent volley to attain inside 41 seconds of coming off the bench – and giving Wiegman a primary glimpse of her immense expertise.
“I mentioned with the squad announcement already that she brings one thing particular,” Wiegman recalled. “She is barely 19, however she may be very mature. She is aware of precisely what she has to do. If she continues like this, she has a really brilliant future.”
‘Loopy season’
Born in Essex to a household of Manchester United, Chelsea and West Ham United supporters, Agyemang is a lifelong Arsenal fan and joined the North London membership’s academy on the age of six.
Making her senior debut for the Gunners in 2022 as a 16-year-old, Agyemang loved some first-team expertise earlier than being loaned to second-tier facet Watford for the 2023-24 season.
5 targets in 10 appearances at Watford earned her a primary skilled contract at Arsenal, and in September 2024, she joined Brighton & Hove Albion on mortgage within the top-tier Ladies’s Tremendous League (WSL).
Though she scored solely three targets and made as many begins, Agyemang was named the Ladies’s Younger Participant of the Season – a nod to the potential that was about to blow up.
When she watched her mother or father membership Arsenal carry the UEFA Ladies’s Champions League trophy in Lisbon on Might 24, Agyemang had no thought she would quickly obtain a FaceTime name from Wiegman for Euro 2025, which is the second-largest feminine soccer event on the planet.
The primary particular person she informed? Her dad, who ran round the home in disbelief and delight.
“It’s been a loopy season for me being on mortgage after which getting the call-up at such a late time within the season. However, , all the things occurs for a cause,” Agyemang mentioned.
“It’s simple to return right here and probably not be related to a group due to the brief period of time, however they’ve actually taken me in and I’m so grateful.”
