During her three extraordinary performances in Switzerland, the Lionesses’ breakout star Michelle Agyemang has earned a reputation as England’s rescue act.
It is fitting, then, that the 19-year-old supersub’s surname means “saviour of the nation” in Akan, a language in her parent’s native Ghana.
Only four years ago, Agyemang was a ball girl at Wembley during Sarina Wiegman’s third game in charge of the team. Today, she is a hero to her Essex hometown and hailed as an “unbelievable” player by her team-mate Chloe Kelly.
Michelle Agyemang showed composure to finish in the dying moments of the semi-final
SALVATORE DI NOLFI/EPA
The teenager was included in England’s squad because of one extraordinary goal. A mere 41 seconds into her international debut in Belgium last April, she scored a brilliant volley with her first touch. She did not play for England again before the Euros squad announcement, but that strike sealed her place as the team’s wildcard.
Her three performances in Switzerland, all of which have come off the bench, have been similarly remarkable. In their Euros opener against France, she contributed to a late rally that nearly allowed England to snatch an undeserved draw.
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Agyemang’s rescue act was not required in the convincing group-stage wins over the Netherlands and Wales, but she returned to action in style against Sweden in the quarter-finals. Sent on with England 2-0 down and heading out, Agyemang poked home the equaliser to complete a dramatic comeback.
And in Tuesday’s semi-final against Italy, she repeated the trick. Having been brought on with England 1-0 down, Agyemang scored from close range with two minutes of second-half stoppage time left to keep her team alive. In extra time she hit the crossbar with a smart lob and England won a penalty soon after. Kelly, who scored on the rebound from the penalty to secure a 2-1 victory, credited Agyemang’s near-miss for giving England the momentum to find a winner.
CHARLOTTE WILSON/UEFA/GETTY IMAGES
Her footballing journey began at Brandon Groves Football Club, a grassroots club in South Ockendon, Thurrock. It was there, as the only girl in the team, that her prodigious talent first caught attention. At five years old she was described as “outstanding”, playing two full seasons before being scouted by Arsenal’s academy at six years old.
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In June, Brandon Groves expressed its excitement at Agyemang’s selection for the Euros squad, sharing archive photographs from her time there. Following her crucial contribution in yesterday’s semi-final, the club said: “Michelle did it again and she came on as a sub and scored an equalising goal which saw the match go into extra time … Massive well done to Michelle and all the Lionesses.”
Michelle Agyemang was scouted as a child by Arsenal
As part of an FA initiative celebrating the grassroots origins of England players, Brandon Grove’s Emeralds Girls’ team was invited to meet Agyemang and the Lionesses in person.
Elsewhere in South Ockendon, preparations are under way for Sunday’s final: the Knight of Aveley pub which is decorated with red and white balloons and adorned with posters urging locals to “get down and cheer on Michelle”, their “very own South Ockendon girl”.
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Off the pitch, Agyemang plays piano and listens to gospel music to help prepare herself for a match. She even has a piano with her in Switzerland to play during the tournament.
She is studying for a degree in Business Management at King’s College London, where staff and students will be cheering her on this weekend.
England will play Spain in the Women’s Euros final on Sunday — a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. It comes after the Spanish side saw off Germany 1-0 during extra time on Wednesday night.
Professor Shitij Kapur, the university’s vice-chancellor and president, said the university was “immensely proud” to count her among their students, and said the campus would be cheering loudly enough “that she can hear us from London” during the final in Basel this Sunday.
He said: “Her incredible performance is an inspiration to the entire King’s community and should encourage every student that you can excel in the classroom and score goals beyond the university at the same time.”