England Under-19s took on Euros hosts Lithuania on Sunday in a dramatic match that saw the young Lionesses win 10-0.
The match began with an extremely high tempo, as England showed a hunger for goals. Within the first 20 seconds, there was a free kick after Sunderland’s Katy Watson was brought down by Gabriele Skurdenyte. Madison Earl of Arsenal took the free kick, delivering it expertly, though no one was able to get on the end of it.
Even when Lithuania managed to gain possession, it was quickly regained by Arsenal’s 16-year-old Katie Reid.
With England continually pressuring Lithuania’s defense, it seemed only a matter of time until they scored. Their patience paid off when Ria Bose fired a shot from outside the box. Lithuania’s goalkeeper, Darua Mikuckyté, failed to hold onto the ball, allowing Poppy Pritchard to capitalize on the mistake and fire the ball into the back of the net.
Another goal attempt came from Arsenal’s Michelle Agyemang, whose shot was just over the crossbar. Agyemang looked fearless in front of goal, and it was only a matter of time before she scored. She almost got on the end of a corner kick, but her header narrowly missed.
The next goal came in the 11th minute from Katy Watson, who found herself one-on-one with two Lithuania defenders and slotted the ball home.
Agyemang then scored a scrappy goal from a set piece by Arsenal’s Viv Lia. Despite the chaos, Agyemang calmly slotted it home. Her second goal came in the 22nd minute, displaying a similar scrappiness. Agyemang was now just one goal away from a hat trick, and given her performance, it seemed inevitable.
Pritchard scored the next goal with a lovely assist from Watson, making it 4-0.
Half Time
At halftime, there were a few changes as Georgia Mullett came on for Katy Watson, and Lucy Newell replaced England captain Brooke Aspin.
As the second half started, it was clear England wanted to extend their lead. Within 30 seconds, Pritchard scored her hat trick, assisted by Agyemang, who was instrumental in setting up the goal.
England continued their relentless attack, with numerous attempts on goal. After a tackle just outside the box on Alexia Potter, England was awarded a free kick in a perfect position. Agyemang stepped up and fired it into the back of the net with pinpoint accuracy, completing her hat trick.
The next goal came from Viv Lia after a great cross from Potter. Lia was cool, calm, and composed, allowing the ball to fall to her feet before scoring.
Then, in a moment of chaos, Potter made a brilliant run with the ball and scored from just inside the box, bringing the score to 9-0.
With only three minutes left on the clock, England was determined to make it 10-0. Their wishes came true when Earl scored a goal reminiscent of Agyemang’s first, sealing the scoreline at 10-0 in their opening game of the Under-19 Euros.
Featured image courtesy of Augustas Didžgalvis via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to this image. License details found here.
