Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.34 2022-23

Spain 3 England 1
England Under-17s suffered last gasp heartbreak in their UEFA Women’s Under-17
Championship semi finals as Spain scored two late goals to book their place in Friday’s final.
The game looked as though it was going to penalties until Spain scored twice in the 88th
and first minute of injury time to ensure it would be the reigning Under-17 world champions
who face France in Friday night’s Final in Estonia, France having cvrushed Switzerland 10-2
in the other semi final.
England began their group matches with a 2-1 win over Poland, Michelle Agyemang
scoring both goals. Agyemang then netted twice again as England then defeated Sweden 3-1,
Ava Baker adding the other goal, and the final group match ended in a 1-1 draw with France,
with Mari Ward on target.
Mo Marley made five changes to England’s starting eleven from that against France,
with goalkeeper Sophia Poor and the tournament’s joint top goalscorer Michelle Agyemang
among those to return.
Spain had scored in the opening ten minutes of each game they had played so far and it
was to happen again, Vicky López powerfully heading home a pinpoint cross by Cris from the
right inside five minutes.
Spain continued to dominate possession and territory as England struggled to get a
foothold in the match and Poor needed to make a number of saves in the first half, whilst the
outstanding Lopez rattled the bar with a 25-yard free kick.
England managed to dig in though and kept the scoreline to just one behind at the
interval and as the game restarted, came more into the game as an attacking force. A
dangerous cross from the right by Baker was only half cleared by the Spanish defence and
Laila Harbert fired over the bar.
Poor needed to save at the other end from Ainhoa Aguacil but England had started on
the front foot with Agyemang having a shot blocked, but then Poor made a crucial save from
a Spanish counter attack to deny Pau when she was through on goal.
Ten minutes after the restart, England got the breakthrough they craved after Agyemang
was fouled just outside the area. Baker floated a teasing inswinging cross which picked out
Katie Reid at the far post and the defender glanced a neat header into the net from six yards.
Spain responded to their setback with Cris and Vicky López having shots saved by Poor
but England were looking much more assured in defence, their confidence visibly boosted
by Reid’s equaliser.
With no extra time to be played, penalties began to loom large and there was a worrying
moment as Agyemang went down with an injury as she stumbled when trying to reach a
through ball by Mari Ward, but she was able to carry on.
However with just two minutes remaining, England were dealt the cruellest of blows. A
clearance was picked up by Ainoa Gómez just outside the area, where her shot took a
deflection off Ward and beyond the reach of a despairing Poor to put Spain back in front.
There was more drama to come in injury time, Baker breaking down the right and her
low cross looked destined for Agyemang but Alazne Estensoro just managed to divert the ball
away with her fingertips and prevent an almost certain goal.
Spain immediately counter attacked and, with England committed forward, Noa Oretga
raced into the area and squared the ball across for Pau to show great composure and slide
her shot into the corner of the net to put the result beyond doubt.
England: Sophia Poor, Ria Bose, Mari Ward, Laila Harbert, Katie Reid, Zara Shaw,
Araya Dennis (sub Erica Parkinson 74mins), Lexi Potter, Michelle Agyemang, Lola Brown
(sub Isabella Fisher 90mins), Ava Baker. Subs not used: Katie Cox, Milly Round, Holly
Deering, Lucy Newell, Sophie Harwood, Vera Jones.
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