England got off to a winning start at the Women’s U19 Championship after coming from behind to beat the Netherlands.
The young Lionesses took a 2-1 victory, giving them the perfect start in a tough group which also consists of Portugal and Spain.
However, the side coached by former Bristol City boss Lauren Smith were made to work hard after conceding just before half-time.
Princess Ademiluyi scores in England Women’s U19 victory
England dominated the majority of the opening half with Aston Villa’s Rachel Maltby striking the post inside three minutes, before Bristol City starlet Mari Ward saw her close-range volley saved by the Dutch goalkeeper.
Netherlands grew in confidence just before half-time and punished England a minute before the break.
Chelsea goalkeeper Katie Cox’s errant pass slipped past Blackburn’s Lucy Newell, and was immediately returned into the back of an open net by Dutch forward Zoe Zuidberg.
England responded well after the break and were level within four minutes of the second-half.
A corner was knocked back into a dangerous area and bundled home by Princess Ademiluyi.
Two goals in five minutes at the start of the second half secures all 3️⃣ points in our #U19WEURO opener. 💪
Well played, #YoungLionesses 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/1AUKzwQ39U
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 15, 2025
The West Ham forward was England’s joint-top scorer during the qualifiers and looks to be vital to their chances of success this summer.
Ademiluyi then had a part in England’s second goal just four minutes after she pulled the Young Lionesses level.
Her shot was deflected into the net by Olivia Rademaker, but unfortunately for Ademiluyi it went down as an own-goal.
There were chances for both sides with the Netherlands hitting the woodwork just after the hour mark. However, the Young Lionesses held on to take all three points.
They could seal their passage into the knockout phase when they face Portugal on June 18th.
England will be hoping to go better in the Women’s U19 Championship than in 2024, where they lost in the semi-finals to Spain.
The Young Lionesses confirmed their 21-player squad for the tournament last week.
England U19 match stats
England starters: Katie Cox (Chelsea), Mari Ward (Bristol City), Katie Reid (Arsenal), Lucy Newell (Manchester United), Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa), Laila Harbert (Arsenal), Lexi Potter (Chelsea), Lola Brown (Chelsea), Ava Baker (Birmingham City), Vivienne Lia (Arsenal), Princess Ademiluyi (West Ham United)
Substitutes: Erica Parkinson (Valadares Gaia) for Brown 82, Lauryn Thompson (Indy Eleven) for Lia 57, Jessie Gale (Arsenal) for Ademiluyi 64’
Substitutes not used: Eve Annets (Manchester City), Nelly Las (Leicester City), Maddy Earl (Arsenal), Araya Dennis (Tottenham Hotspur), Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Arsenal)
Goals: Ademiluyi 49, Rademaker (OG) 53’
Head Coach: Lauren Smith
