England 3-0 Australia: Lionesses' win marred as Michelle Agyemang suffers 'horrible' injury

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·28 ottobre 2025

England 3-0 Australia: Lionesses' win marred as Michelle Agyemang suffers 'horrible' injury

The Brighton forward may be facing a spell on the sidelines after making a strong start to the WSL campaign

The Lionesses eased to a routine 3-0 win over Australia at Pride Park, but the occasion was marred as Michelle Agyemang was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

OneFootball Video

The talismanic Arsenal forward, currently on loan at Brighton, starred for England at the Euros this summer, scoring twice as she made a rash of pivotal cameo appearances.

After making a bright start to the WSL campaign, the 19-year-old may now be in for a spell on the sidelines. She went down off the ball late in the second half, and her team-mates were visibly concerned as she received treatment on the pitch and eventually left the field of play on a stretcher.

Speaking at full-time, Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman gave a grim prognosis.

“It was an awful moment, it doesn’t look good,” she said. “Of course, we don’t know yet, but I’m not very positive about what I’ve seen."

The incident put something of a damper on the occasion, intended to be a celebration of the Lionesses’ summer triumph.

It was an otherwise encouraging performance from the Lionesses after they were humbled by Brazil last time out.

The hosts had the upper hand early after the Matildas’ Alanna Kennedy was shown a red card with less than 20 minutes played for a cynical tackle on Alessia Russo.

England took advantage straight away to make the breakthrough. Beever-Jones' initial free-kick was blocked by the wall but Lucy Bronze sharply turned the ball back to her and she ferociously struck past Mackenzie Arnold from distance.

Fine wine: The veteran Lucy Bronze continues to star for England

Action Images via Reuters

England were firmly in control of proceedings before the red card but Wiegman's side were now fully in the driving seat - Keira Walsh was next to have a go but Arnold stopped England from doubling their lead.

Australia made a rare foray forward and could have equalised when Sam Kerr diverted the ball on target from a tight angle but Hampton had to block behind for her first piece of action.

For all of England's dominance though, they had to be wary of Australia's threat on the counter, with Kerr's tame shot easily dealt with by Hampton.

The Lionesses inevitably grabbed their second five minutes before the break as Ella Toone cut the ball back for Bronze on the penalty spot who stroked beyond the helpless Arnold.

England went in search of more in the second period and Kendall went close to a debut goal when her header bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Arnold was twice brought into action to stop England from extending their advantage.

England made it three at the death when Stanway blasted in a late penalty after Katrina Gorry brought down Missy Bo Kearns inside the box.