Leah Williamson will head out to the all-sold-out Windsor Park on Tuesday night time as the brand new England captain, and Belfast seems to be a metropolis that provides her with completely happy, if nerve-wracking, recollections.
Seven years in the past this week, Williamson was taking part in for the U19 staff in a championship at Seaview when one of the weird incidents in world soccer occurred.
After trailing 2–1 in a match towards Norway, Williamson scored solely an injury-time penalty for the German referee to disqualify the participant’s transgression.
As a substitute of overseeing the restoration, Norway was awarded a free kick and England misplaced the match. In an unprecedented transfer, UEFA has dominated that the ultimate seconds of a match should be replayed after 5 days.
Teenager Williamson had loads of thought time as soon as the choice was made by UEFA, strolling into the staff lodge nervously all week. She tried to dam these emotions by sleeping whereas her mom rearranged her journeys to remain and watch the large second.
“It turned out nicely ultimately, however what I went via that week I did not want on anybody,” Williamson mentioned. Sky Sports activities Earlier than the match towards Northern Eire.
“I requested my mum to maintain quiet in case I missed it, and nobody will ever know however you confirmed up rather a lot together with your Sky Sports activities cameras!
“There are two women on the staff right here who participated, and we remembered that day. It turned out to be good, but it surely may have been completely different.”
On the night time of the second half, the flags of England and Norway had been once more raised on the sphere, paramedics and the hosts attended and the gamers underwent a warm-up.
Many spectators additionally attended intrigued, and Sky Sports activities Information Dwell broadcast of the info (sorry Leah!).
When the gamers who had been on the sphere on the finish of the primary match made their approach out of the dressing rooms, they superior straight into the penalty space.
Williamson confidently put the ball into the web and calmly hit the web to seal England’s qualification. Norway took off, however the closing whistle ignited scenes of aid and exhilaration 25 seconds later.
Williamson in contrast the expertise to taking her for a driving take a look at. As with each take a look at you face, this nice alternative of captain goes with flying colours.
Observe the ladies of Northern Eire versus the ladies of England on our devoted dwell weblog on Sky Sports activities digital platforms.