Michelle Agyemang, saviour of the nation.
Let's look at her journey from under-19s to Euros champions and how she will not be going anywhere for club and country.
Just a few months ago, she was not on the senior squad, but after Alessia Russo pulled out, she made her senior debut at 19. She scored with her second touch against Belgium 41 seconds after coming on.
Before the tournament, I got to speak to her about her experience so far, and I feel that if you told that girl what was to come, looking back, she would not believe you.
Agyemang said: “I'm grateful for the opportunity.
“I think it's surreal, like how it happened, and there are so many more things to come.”
The lioness said, “I'm grateful, you know, that she's (Sarina Wiegman) trusted me to come here again and show what I can do for a long time.
“It's amazing to get that call and to be here again, and my family is so supportive. When I was telling them, my mom was screaming, and my dad was shouting as well.
She went on to say, “I think it's an honour to represent my country no matter where it is or what age group.”
Since then she has scored two incredible goals carrying on the torch of super-sub in Euros 2025 and kept England fighting.
She scored the second goal in the quarter-finals game against Sweden, which ended 2-2, making history as the first country to come from two goals down to win a knockout Euro game.
For example, you went into the goal in her debut, collected the ball to restart the match, and hoped to get the winner in extra time.
Her heroics did not stop them in the semi-final. England looked like they were leaving the competition. Italy scored early, wasted time, fell on the floor, and pulled their fatigue card. But it backfired, and seven minutes of extra time were added. The Italians messed up big time as they started to celebrate before the final whistle. I say karma.
In the 96th minute, with seconds to go for England to finally score, Michelle Agyemang saved England and scored. We were truly entertained, that is for sure, when Chloe Kelly stepped up for a penalty. I knew deep down it would be saved, but I forgot about the rebound. England, through Italy, was crushed by their own mistakes.
Michelle's last name, Agyemang, in Ghanaian means ‘savour of the nation’, and she did just that. No surprises here, she got the young player of the tournament before England lifted the trophy.
The 19-year-old Arsenal forward played only 138 minutes of the competition in Switzerland and did not start a single match.
And the Arsenal striker labelled her international teammates as “so loving, kind and caring” when praising how they welcomed her into the squad.
"I am not really that expressive when it comes to emotions," Agyemang added. "Sometimes my facial expressions are the most you will get out of me. Especially in times like the win, a lot of gratitude is the main feeling I am feeling.
"I did cry a little bit because it was so surreal to see the change from the first game all the way to the final. At times it was difficult, but we made it and I was just grateful to God for that.
"As soon as Chloe's [Kelly] penalty went in, I was just in disbelief. Jess Carter was hugging me and I was like 'what is this, what is going on?'. It was just mad."
The scenes of sheer jubilation when captain Leah Williamson lifted the trophy for the second time in three years brought much of England to tears, with Agyemang understandably stating: "I have never been part of anything like that before."
I would be shocked in Arsenal do not play her this season is some capacity even as a super-sub if they do not that is a waste of an amazing talent who has performed in the biggest games under pressure where all hope was lost and and scored two crucial goals to help England go back-to-back Euros the second country to do that.
Add comment
Comments