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“Her celebration was worthy of a Champions League triumph,” remarked England coach Sarina Wiegman with a smile.

To Lucia Kendall, the moment was just as monumental.

Wiegman was recalling the moment the Aston Villa midfielder sprinted off into the corner after scoring her first Lionesses goal – six minutes into a 2-0 victory over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

“The ground staff might need to repair that turf!” she quipped, poking fun at Kendall’s flawless knee slide.

As the 21-year-old got to her feet, with a look of disbelief and surrounded by her team-mates, a wide smile appeared on her face.

A Fairytale Homecoming

Kendall was “a fixture” at Southampton – a club where she had spent a decade, rising through their academy and making 103 appearances before joining Villa in July.

So when she scored at St Mary's Stadium on her return, and on only her third England cap, it was the stuff of dreams.

“To do it here, where I was raised, was an immensely special moment. This place shaped the player I am,” Kendall remarked.

“It appeared as though it was fate. It was so special. I got overwhelmed with emotion really.”

‘Things Have Gone So Quickly’

It may have been Southampton who “made” Kendall, but a major decision at the age of 15 proved crucial to her future.

A proficient cricketer as well, with a father who played county cricket for Hampshire, she was forced to decide between the two pursuits as her football career began to flourish. Football won out.

“It was a tough call. I simply couldn't manage both,” Kendall explained in a recent media conference.

“I adored cricket as a child. Making the choice was very hard. I went back and forth, but when the time came, I realised I enjoy football a bit more.”

Growing up admiring Chelsea and Frank Lampard’s goal-getting midfield exploits, Kendall is starting her own path with comparable attacking instincts.

Balancing her football at Southampton with university studies in psychology showcased the focus and ambition needed to excel.

Southampton held onto their prized asset as long as possible, but upon her contract expiry, Villa signed her to the WSL.

In a matter of months, Kendall has quickly risen, securing a regular place in the WSL and a call-up to the national team.

“Displaying consistency is challenging for any new arrival in the WSL, but she has managed it,” said Wiegman.

“Things have gone so quickly so fast, but she just keeps up her levels and shows she is a good player - and that is impressive.”

Kendall certainly enjoyed herself at St Mary's, hitting the crossbar later in the first half and almost teeing up Villa team-mate Missy Bo Kearns for a goal, before Alessia Russo added a second with an injury-time penalty.

Her substitution on the hour mark was met with a loud reception from fans and an announcer proudly declaring her local roots.

Kendall scored 29 goals for the club in more than a decade of service and added: “Being at Southampton for so long, I played regular senior football from the age of 16 and that was incredibly beneficial.

“It was the consistent trust they showed in me as a player and the belief. I felt like I was ready for [the next step].

“I knew that I had to go in [to England] and prove why I should be playing at this level. The speed of the game is quicker and it was like going up a division.”

Acknowledgment of Her Football Intelligence

Her smooth transition to the international stage has led to praise for her innate midfield qualities and natural demeanour.

While mindful of shielding her young star, Wiegman is unworried due to Kendall’s humble and professional attitude.

Days after being called up by the Lionesses for the first time, Kendall was addressing the media saying she was eager to impress, but also understood the need for the team's greater good and whatever role she needed to play in that.

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo said it felt like Kendall had “fitted in instantly” as she integrated seamlessly into the squad.

“{This team's just gone on to win back-to