Report: England WU23s 2-3 Germany

England women’s under-23s were narrowly defeated against Germany in their first match of 2025 on Thursday evening.

The occasion, held at the Bescot Stadium, was the first time these two sides had met at WU23 level in over 15 years.

Michelle Agyemang and Alara Şehitler secured braces for their respective sides before Sophie Weidauer’s deflected strike proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Within the first five minutes, the Young Lionesses opened the scoring after a timely interception from Ruby Grant before Agyemang rifled a stunning effort into the top corner to give England an early lead.

Goalkeeper Khiara Keating was called into the action ten minutes later and pulled off an acrobatic save to deny Carlotta Wamser’s audacious effort.

However, despite Coates’ side having a foothold in the fixture, Şehitler levelled the game when she stabbed the ball home from close-range in the 17th minute.

It was Şehitler who gave the visitors the lead ten minutes later, when her powerful strike from an indirect free-kick found the top corner despite a heavy defensive wall.

The Young Lionesses remained relentless though and captain Missy-Bo Kearns' work rate inspired England, as she continuously worked in a box-to-box role and proved to be a threat to the Germany midfield.

Agyemang, once again, turned up when her team needed her most and tapped the ball into an unguarded net after she latched onto an inviting Ella Morris cross, just five minutes before the break.

After the interval, the visitors regained the advantage as Vanessa Diehm’s long-range pass played Weidauer through on goal – whose deflected effort dipped over a diving Keating.

A fantastic, last-ditch interception from Maisie Symonds denied Germany of a two-goal advantage as the Young Lionesses searched for a response.

Keating showcased her brilliance in the closing minutes, saving Sarah Mattner’s powerful effort from point-blank range.

But despite having their fair share of the ball, Coates’ team failed to find the goal they needed to salvage a draw.

England will now turn their attention to a trip to the Lamex Stadium, the home of Stevenage, where they will host France on Tuesday 25 February.

England: Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Ella Morris (Tottenham Hotspur), Anouk Denton (West Ham), Maise Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), Naomi Layzell (Manchester City), Teyah Goldie (London City Lionesses), Katie Robinson (Aston Villa), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Michelle Agyemang (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruby Grant (Bayer Leverkusen), Mia Enderby (Liverpool).

Substitutions: Isobel Goodwin (London City Lionesses) for Agyemang 58, Olivia McLoughlin (Rangers) for Morris 58,  Katie Reid (Arsenal) for Grant 58, Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City) for Enderby 72, Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur) for Kearns 72’, Neve Herron (Birmingham City) for Layzell 82.

Substitutes not used: Lucy Parry (Liverpool), Kayla Rendell (Manchester United), Jessica Simpson (Bristol City), Missy Goodwin (Leicester City), Ashanti Akpan (Birmingham City), Emily Orman (London City Lionesses).

Goals: Agyemang 6’, 40’