West Ham United women’s team’s Princess Ademiluyi got on the scoresheet as England U19 came from behind to secure a 2-1 success over Netherlands U19 in their opening UEFA Women's U19 Championship Group B clash.
Starting the match in Tarnobrzeg, Poland, the 18-year-old caused the Netherlands havoc throughout her 64 minutes on the field, but it was the Young Lionesses who fell behind just before half-time when Zoë Zuidberg capitalised on a defensive error to catch goalkeeper Katie Cox off her line.
However, just four minutes after the break, Ademiluyi restored parity with a clinical finish at the back post following a scramble in the penalty area - her sixth goal in her last seven international matches.
And the women’s team striker was not done there, as just four minutes later she helped complete the turnaround. Latching onto Ava Baker’s cross, the striker’s poked effort ricocheted off Netherlands defender Olivia Rademaker, and into her own net.
Ademiluyi, representing her country in her first major tournament, could have bagged her second and England’s third just after the hour mark, but her looping header from a Baker corner was cleared off the line before she then came close to making contact with Baker’s whipped cross soon after.
The victory sees Lauren Smith’s side sit second after the first round of matches in Group B, with reigning champions Spain leading the way in the standings following their 2-0 victory over Portugal.
England, who last won the competition in 2009, will now set their sights on recording back-to-back victories in the tournament when they face Portugal at Stadion OSiR Wisła, Tarnobrzeg, on Wednesday (kick-off 4pm BST).
