Jess Park scored a dream debut goal immediately after coming off the bench to round off England's 4-0 win over Japan in Spain.
Park was brought on in the 89th minute but manager Sarina Wiegman to win her maiden cap, preceding to score a tap-in with her first touch just 79 seconds later after great work from Ebony Salmon. It was a fairytale introduction to senior international football for the 21-year-old forward, who is spending the season on loan at Everton from Manchester City.
Rachel Daly, Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone had already found the net to give England a comfortable lead against the former world champions, but the night was topped off in fine style with Park’s magnificent cameo. England are now unbeaten in 25 games under Wiegman and if they avoid defeat against Norway will secure an invincible 2022.
After her remarkable debut, Park spoke to ITV football revealing that her manager’s main instruction was simply to enjoy the occasion.
“I can’t sum up my emotions, I’m a bit overwhelmed,” Park said after the win. “It’s absolutely amazing and I’m honoured to have scored a goal for my country. I’m a bit overwhelmed at the minute. I’ve dreamed of this since I was a little girl and it’s come true.
“My head’s gone actually, I’m just so happy. I’ve dreamed of this since I was a little girl. Sarina (Wiegman) just told me to have fun, enjoy and do your role. Ebs (Salmon) really did all the work for me and I just had to slot it in.”
Park had previously been called into the England squad for October’s double header with the United States and the Czech Republic but wasn’t able to get on the pitch. However, she has maintained her excellent club form since, which included playing a big role in the Toffees' counter-attack winner at Aston Villa.
And she made the most when handed an opportunity by Wiegman, although her goal was admittedly a simple task after Salmon’s brilliant run. Park will now be hopeful of getting more game time when the Lionesses take on Norway at the same venue on Tuesday night.
“She (Jess Park) only played two minutes,” Wiegman told ITV. “So I can’t really say how she played, but we saw two things actually. There was a long ball and we saw the strength of Ebony Salmon, her pace to win the ball but Jess said, ‘I have to be there and get the ball in the net’. She was really determined. I’ve only seen her smiling since.”
Although it was her first senior international strike, Park’s goalscoring debut should perhaps come as no surprise looking at her record for the under-19 national side. Between 2018-2020 she scored 24 goals in just 19 appearances.
She was also named in the UEFA Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament back in 2018, with a string of impressive performances helping England finish fourth. If she can translate that kind of international form to the senior squad, Wiegman will find it tough to leave her out of the Lionesses’ starting XI.
