Michelle Ayemang (R) celebrating her goal against Sweden
Defending champions England are through to the semifinals of the Women’s European Championship, and they have teenage forward Michelle Agyemang, of Ghanaian descent, to thank for dragging them back from the brink in a dramatic night of football.
England looked all but beaten in Geneva on Thursday, July 17, 2025, when they trailed Sweden 2-0 with just 12 minutes left in their quarterfinal clash.
The Lionesses, who had fallen behind almost from the start, were staring down an early exit until senior defender Lucy Bronze sparked hope with a goal that halved the deficit.
But it was 19-year-old Agyemang, now with Brighton, who stole the spotlight and showed once again why she is one of England’s most exciting young players.
Coming off the bench late on, she struck the equaliser that kept Sarina Wiegman’s side alive, making her mark in a big tournament just months after scoring a dream goal on her England debut in April against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League.
That night, she had come on for Jessica Park in the 80th minute and volleyed home just 45 seconds later, a glimpse of the fearless impact she would later bring to the Euros.
“It means a lot to me. I am really grateful for the opportunity to come in, make my debut, and score my first goal,” Agyemang said at the time, promising fans there was “a lot more to come”.
On Thursday, she delivered on that promise.
After Agyemang’s vital goal, the match went into extra time where both sides missed chances to win it.
The game headed for penalties, setting up a nerve-shredding shootout that saw Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk set a Women’s Euro record with four saves.
But in the end, even Falk’s heroics couldn’t deny England.
She missed her chance to seal victory for Sweden when she skied a potentially winning penalty over the bar.
England keeper Hannah Hampton saved two spot-kicks and watched as 18-year old Smilla Holmberg blasted Sweden’s final penalty over, moments after Bronze had coolly buried hers.
England’s dramatic 3-2 shootout win puts them into their fourth semifinal in the last five Women’s Euros, and makes them the first defending champions to reach this stage since Germany in 2009.
Now, with Italy waiting in the semifinals on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Geneva, all eyes will be on Michelle Agyemang, the Ghanaian-descended teenager whose fearless energy and timely goals have turned her into England’s new secret weapon when it matters most.
Watch highlights of the game below:
@tsn “THAT IS PROPER ENGLISH!” Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang find the back of the net TWICE in two minutes to level the score vs. Sweden! 🙌
FKA/AME
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