U19 Lionesses put ten past Lithuania to kickstart Euro campaign | OneFootball

On the opening day of the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship 2024, England faced hosts Lithuania. At the Darius and Girėnas Stadium, the U19 Lionesses Euro campaign began. Under head coach John Griffiths, there are high expectations of these youngsters with a bright future ahead of them.

In Group A, England are up against France, Serbia and Lithuania. So, a dominant victory in their first fixture was vital to help them progress to the knockout stages.

Starting XIs

England U19s

K. Cox; C. Brown, B. Aspin, R. Bose, V. Lia, L. Potter, K. H. Reid, K. E. Watson, P. Pritchard, M. A. Earl, M. Agyemang.

Lithuania U19s

E. Kriaučiūnaitė; V. Švarcaitė, A Streckytė, K. Klevinskaitė, G. Skurdenytė, A. Kazarina, V. Vasiliauskaitė, K. Jasaitytė, A. Andriuškevičiūtė, S. Lichareva, D. Mikuckytė.

First half

The U19 Lionesses had the perfect start, as Manchester City’s Poppy Pritchard slotted it home after the Lithuanian goalkeeper couldn’t quite stop the ball from crossing the line. Less than ten minutes later, Katy Evelyn Watson doubled England’s lead. The Sunderland midfielder dribbled through the Lithuanian defence and scored with a low shot from a tight angle.

Two minutes after Watson’s goal, Arsenal’s Michelle Agyemang added to the goal tally. She had the perfect opportunity to tap the ball in from a high cross that found her on the back post. But Agyemang was not stopping after one goal. Only ten minutes later, she found another opportunity to strengthen England’s lead. With several players scrambling in the box, she picked out the football and drove towards the net.

It was almost half time, but the Lionesses team put themselves in a comfortable position, making it 5-0 through Pritchard’s second of the afternoon. Watson saw the Man City youngster in space to the side of goal, and she calmly put another past the keeper.

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Second half

After a dominant first half, Griffiths had the opportunity to make some subs in the second half. However, England scored their sixth goal within the first minute. Pritchard earned her first international hat trick with a confident sprint toward the Lithuanian net.

Another player slotted home her third to achieve the second hat-trick of the match. Ten minutes later, Agyemang netted from a powerful half-volley that reached the back of the goal. Vivienne Lea then scored a sublime free-kick that curled over the keeper. A set-piece goal saw another Arsenal youngster put herself on the scoresheet for the first time in this tournament.

Chelsea academy graduate Lexi Potter was the next to add to the goals. Calmly slotting the ball in the corner of the net, the midfielder proved herself worthy of a spot in the team.

Finally, England pushed their lead to double figures in the final minute of the game. Madison Ava Earl scored an injury-time goal from close range. Yet another Arsenal academy player to score internationally.

The match ended with a huge 10-0 result for the England U19s — a dream start for the driven and talented squad.

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What is next in store for the young Lionesses?

Despite their commanding start against the hosts, England need to remain focused, recover and recharge to be ready for the other group stage matches. Although three points and a double-digit goal difference stands them in good stead, they are not yet guaranteed their place in the next round.

In the penultimate match of the group stage, England will face Serbia at the Marijampolé Stadium on Wednesday, July 17. Then, on Saturday, July 20, the young Lionesses will travel to the Jonava Stadium to play France. If they continue to play like they did against Lithuania, the knockout stages will be very much in reach.

Some key players to watch in the upcoming fixtures include Man City’s Poppy Pritchard, Arsenal’s Michelle Agyemang, and Chelsea’s Katie Cox. With so many stars in John Griffiths’ England side, the future is bright. Starting the tournament with a win in double figures, the U19 Lionesses will be more determined than ever to follow in the senior side’s footsteps and return home as European Champions.

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