ONE of England Lionesses's heroes, who scored a goal in last night's (Thursday, 17 July) thrilling win against Sweden, is a Thurrock home-grown talent. 

Teenager Michelle Agyemang's vital equaliser helped book the Lionesses a trip to the Euro 2025 semi-finals in a dramatic comeback penalty shootout victory over the Scandanavians.

Michelle, 19, was born in South Ockendon and has spent her footballing career since being six as part of the Arsenal set-up.

She is of Ghanaian descent. Her father is a Manchester United fan, her brother is a Chelsea fan, her sister is a West Ham United fan vut she has always been a Gooner.

Growing up, her favourite players were Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.

Agyemang is a life-long Gunner. She joined Arsenal at the age of six and came through the club;'s youth ranks, appearing in 11 games for the Arsenal academy team during the 2022–2023 season and was their top goal scorer across all competitions.

In November 2022, Agyemang made her senior club debut at the age of 16 against Leicester City in Arsenal's 4–0 victory in the Women's Super League.

On 29 January 2023, Agyemang's scored her first goal for the club in the fourth round of the Women's FA Cup against Leeds United in the 80th minute.

In August 2023, Agyemang joined Watford FC in the Women's Championship on a dual-sign agreement, making her debut for Watford on 3 September against London City Lionesses and later Arsenal loaned her to Brighton & Hove Albion where she spent the 2024–25 Women's Super League campaign, but has since been recalled by the Champions League winners.

Her England appearance yesterday brought just her third senior cap after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute. And she marked it with the goal that drew the sides level to force extra time, before England won an error-plagued penalty shootout.

They won with England's seventh penalty converted by Lucy Bronze, England's seventh penalty taker, slammed her spot-kick into the roof of the net before Sweden's Smilla Holmberg put her effort over the bar - a huge relief to Agyemang, no doubt, as she was one of four left to take a kick.

Agyemang has now netted in two of her first three England appearances, after memorably scoring 41 seconds into her senior debut in April against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League, though Engloand lost the match 3-2.

England next face Italy in Tuesday's semi-final in Geneva.