WALSALL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 20: Michelle Agyemang of England looks on during the Women’s U23 international between England and Germany at Poundland Bescot Stadium on February 20, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Michelle Agyemang – the Euro 2025 Young Player of the Tournament – was stretchered off in the last 15 minutes of England’s friendly against Australia.
The injury looked to be a serious one sustained to her knee.
“That looked horrible,” head coach Sarina Wiegman said on ITV after the match, although she had not had an update on Agyemang’s condition. “When you are stretchered off, it’s not nice anyway, but it doesn’t look good.”
The 19-year-old had come on just after the hour mark as a replacement for Alessia Russo.
It did not appear to be a contact injury.
Her team-mates immediately called for medical help, with fellow substitute Alex Greenwood holding her hand and Esme Morgan talking to her.
Beth Mead – who has recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept her out of the 2023 Women’s World Cup – went over to Wiegman and seemed to be gesturing to her knee.
Agyemang was then herself replaced by Chloe Kelly.
Aggie Beever-Jones – who had been asking to be substituted just before the incident – then walked off the pitch as well with a member of the backroom staff, reducing England to ten players for the final stages, as they had no more replacements available.
But Australia had also been reduced to ten in the first half after a red card for Alanna Kennedy.
Michelle Agyemang: her career so far
Michelle Agyemang is officially still an Arsenal player, but is currently on loan to fellow Women’s Super League side Brighton and Hove Albion, as she was last season.
She was called up to the England squad for the 2025 Euros as somewhat of a wildcard, and made a huge contribution to the Lionesses’ successful defence of their title as an impact substitute – scoring in the quarter-final against Sweden and in the semi-final against Italy.
She was named as the tournament’s outstanding young player in recognition of her displays.
England’s friendly versus Australia
England beat Australia 3-0 in the friendly at Pride Park thanks to first-half goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Lucy Bronze, then a late penalty from Georgia Stanway.
It was a much changed starting line-up for England following the 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Saturday.
Hannah Hampton returned in goal in place of Khiara Keating, with Morgan and Maya Le Tissier partnered in the centre of defence.
Taylor Hinds made her debut at left back, with Bronze picking up her 142nd cap on the other side.
Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall also made her first senior appearance.
