As the clock ticked into the third minute of stoppage-time, the Netherlands still needed a goal to send them to the Women's World Cup. The 2019 runners-up had produced 21 shots, 10 on target, and hit the post three times but the scores remained goalless between them and Iceland, who were on the verge of qualifying for their first tournament instead. But then, with mere seconds remaining, 18-year-old Esmee Brugts sent those in the stands at Stadion Galgenwaard absolutely crazy.
Picking the ball up on the left wing, Brugts whipped in a dangerous cross with her right foot, one which left Iceland goalkeeper Sandra Sigurdardottir helpless as she waited to react to any contact on the delivery. But it evaded all in the box and, to the despair of those in blue, nestled right in the bottom far corner. The Netherlands had won it.
As the visiting players dropped to their knees in disappointment, fighting back tears, those in orange celebrated wildly, the entire bench racing down the touchline to join in. Entering her third season with PSV, Brugts’ talent had been known about for a while now - but this was the biggest moment of her career to date.
Ten months on, the teenager is at that very World Cup, her first at any level, as part of what is going to be an absolutely massive summer in these early years of her very promising career.
Praised for her work-rate, technical ability and wonderful footballing intelligence, let GOAL introduce you to a player who could be signing for one of Europe’s elite once her work in Australia and New Zealand is done…