Arsenal’s Agyemang scores worldie on England debut | OneFootball

Michelle Agyemang scored a stunning goal less than a minute into her senior England debut, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Lionesses from falling to a 3-2 defeat against Belgium in Leuven.

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Brought on with 10 minutes remaining and England trailing 3-1, the 19-year-old striker, on loan at Brighton from Arsenal, controlled the ball with her thigh and volleyed in a sharp finish with her second touch to cap her first involvement in senior international football.

It was the standout moment of a frustrating evening for England and a significant milestone for one of Arsenal’s brightest prospects.

“It’s April now. I’m not concerned,” said Sarina Wiegman post-match. “Although this doesn’t feel good, it’s a huge learning for us. They [Belgium] actually played as we expected. We know it was going to be totally different [to Friday].”

England had thrashed Belgium 5-0 in Bristol days earlier but looked disjointed and exposed throughout the first half.

They went behind in the fourth minute when Tessa Wullaert raced in behind Niamh Charles, finishing past Hannah Hampton. The second came via a set piece as Justine Vanhaevermaet outjumped Leah Williamson to nod home from a Wullaert delivery.

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Belgium’s third, before the half-hour mark, came when Davina Philtjens pulled England’s defence across and delivered a low cross that Wullaert converted again, beating Millie Bright to the ball.

England did get one back before the break when Beth Mead scored from the penalty spot. Wiegman introduced fresh legs in the second half and England created chances, Williamson forced a save from distance, Lucy Bronze headed wide, but they couldn’t find a way back until Agyemang‘s moment.

“She came in and did really well,” Wiegman said. “She scored an incredible goal, the composure she has and the calmness. I think we do have to celebrate that a little for her. We haven’t done now because overall we are disappointed, but that was really good.”

Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images

With the result, England drop to second in their Nations League group behind Spain, who beat Portugal 7-1. The defeat also leaves key questions with less than three months to go before the European Championship in Switzerland.