Twice has England faced elimination in the European Championship in Switzerland, twice has 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang been substituted in and on her own saved the nation.
England was behind 0-2 against Sweden in the quarterfinal when the super talent equalized with ten minutes left. In the semifinal against Italy, it was time again: then she jumped in with five minutes left and made it 1-1 in extra time.
I'm so grateful. Four years ago, I was a kid throwing the ball to some of these girls and now I'm playing with them. It's a fantastic opportunity and I'm so happy to be here, says Agyemang to The Guardian.
"A bright future"
She belongs to Arsenal - the last season she has been loaned to Brighton - and made her senior debut in the English national team as late as April.
I said already when the squad was announced that she contributes with something special, says national team coach Sarina Wiegman and continues:
She's only 19 years old, but she's very mature, she knows exactly what she needs to do. If she continues like this, she will have a bright future.
A crazy season
Michelle Agyemang was born in South Ockendon, Essex and was recruited to Arsenal's academy as a six-year-old. In 2021, she was a ball girl in one of Sarina Wiegman's first matches when England met Northern Ireland at Wembley. Now she's not only the youngest player in the English European Championship squad - she's also become the whole nation's super-sub.
It's been a crazy season for me who was loaned out and then called up (to the national team) so late in the season, she says to AFP.
But you know, everything happens for a reason.
England plays the European Championship final against Spain in Basel on Sunday.
