Now the dust has settled on Tuesday’s chaotic Euros semi-final victory over Italy, Sarina Wiegman may need to reach for the aspirin.
Michelle Agyemang’s explosive cameos have handed the Dutch coach a selection headache and there is a compelling case for the teen sensation to be promoted to the starting XI for Sunday’s final.
It is hard to question a coach who has just reached her fifth consecutive major tournament final but if England deliver another display like those against Sweden and Italy, Sunday could be painful viewing.
Wiegman is known for being reluctant to roll the dice and has made just two changes to her starting line-up this tournament, yet twice England have had to call upon their super-subs to rescue them at the death.
Wiegman has insisted: ‘I’d like to go ahead in the beginning and stay ahead. We prepare for every scenario but we don’t say, “Let’s go behind and score at the end”.’
Starting Agyemang would be her boldest move yet. The 19-year-old — whose name means ‘saviour of the nation’ in the Akan language of her parents’ native country, Ghana — wasn’t even supposed to be here.
Michelle Agyemang’s two vital goals off the bench have provide the case for her to be promoted to the starting line-up
Agyemang equalised in stoppage time against Italy in their dramatic 2-1 semi-final victory
The teenager hit the bar with an audacious effort in extra time before the Lionesses’ winner
She was sent out on loan by Arsenal last summer to ‘continue her development’ at Brighton, where she made just three starts. Then came the sliding-doors moment just two months before Wiegman named her Euros squad, when Alessia Russo suffered a knock and Agyemang was called up to replace her for their Nations League game against Belgium.
England were 3-1 down when she was introduced in the 80th minute. Just 41 seconds later, Leah Williamson’s looping cross found her. One touch to control with her thigh, and another to blast it into the roof of the net.
Agyemang, who was a ball girl at Wembley for Wiegman’s third game in charge of England in 2021, has made a huge impact off the bench at this tournament, not just for her goals but for how she has elevated England’s overall attacking threat.
In the quarter-final against Sweden, England had managed just one shot on target before she came on in the 70th minute. By the end of extra time, they had had another three.
In the Italy clash, England had just one Opta-defined ‘big chance’ before she came on in the 85th minute but by the end, they had created four more.
Agyemang offers something different in the final third and with Lauren James an injury doubt for Sunday, the case for starting her only strengthens.
Against Germany, who would likely line up with a back three, Agyemang could partner Russo to stretch their opponents’ disciplined defensive unit. Italy played with a similar system which frustrated England but the Lionesses were far more effective after Aggie Beever-Jones and Agyemang came on in the 85th minute to play up front together.
Against Spain, Agyemang would be the perfect agitator against the world champions’ unsettled defence.
England boss Sarina Wiegman must decide whether to start the 19-year-old in Sunday’s final
Agyemang, seen recovering on Wednesday, has elevated England’s threat at the tournament
England players had a recovery session following Tuesday’s gruelling semi-final with Italy, which included spending time in a state of the art cryotherapy chamber
England captain Leah Williamson recovered in the pool at England’s base in Switzerland
Spain have fielded three different centre-back pairings at this tournament and Agyemang could have a field day against Irene Paredes, 34, on the break. Spain like to keep the ball on the floor and Agyemang would be effective latching on to long balls and bullying defenders.
Agyemang is grounded in humility. She is deeply religious and plays the piano — hers has been brought out to Switzerland for the Euros — and as the youngest member of the squad, her team-mates often remark on her composure and maturity.
But it’s her strength that stands out. Bronze, a guiding presence for Agyemang, puts it best: ‘You see it when she comes on — defenders are petrified of her. They have played 90 minutes and then they have to come up against Michelle. I sure wouldn’t want that to be me!’
Agyemang also brings technical finesse. Her audacious lob in extra time against Italy which kissed the bar was a moment of real quality.
‘Nobody knows anything about her, she’s only played a few minutes against Belgium and a few minutes in the season with Brighton,’ Bronze added. ‘She’s a bit of the unknown and brings something different which maybe other teams aren’t used to.’
Perhaps a step into the unknown is exactly what England need to bring home more glory.
