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

To Lucia Kendall, the moment felt just as significant.

This comment came as Wiegman spoke about the young midfielder’s joyous reaction to her maiden England goal – early in a win over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

“I think the pitch needs some attention after that!” she joked, in reference to Kendall’s flawless knee slide.

Rising to her feet amidst her celebrating colleagues, the young player showed an expression of pure joy.

A Fairytale Homecoming

Kendall was “a mainstay” at Southampton – a club where she had devoted ten years, coming through their academy and making 103 games 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.

“It was a truly special moment to achieve this here, in my hometown. This place made me into the player I am,” Kendall said.

“It seemed destined to happen. It was so special. I got flooded with emotion really.”

‘Things Have Gone So Quickly’

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

A skilled cricketer as well, with a father who was a cricketer for Hampshire, she faced a choice 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 said 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 knew I enjoy football a bit more.”

Her idol growing up as a Chelsea fan was Frank Lampard – an England midfielder known for his goalscoring ability – and Kendall has begun her career in a comparable fashion.

Juggling life at Southampton with a psychology degree at university, it was clear early on that Kendall had the work ethic and commitment to become a star.

The second-tier club held on to her for as long as they could, but when her contract expired in the summer, Villa swooped to put her in the Women's Super League limelight.

Her meteoric rise has seen her become a WSL fixture and an England international in a short space of time.

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

“The pace of her rise has been breathtaking, yet she maintains her performance standard, proving her quality impressively.”

The midfielder had a lively game, later rattling the bar and nearly creating a goal for Kearns, prior to Russo’s late penalty.

Exiting the pitch to applause, the announcer emphasized her deep connection to the club and city.

Having scored 29 times for Southampton during her long tenure, she reflected, “My early exposure to senior football there from 16 provided a solid base.

“The constant faith they placed in me gave me the confidence to take 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.”

‘Technically and Tactically, She Is a Very Strong Midfielder’

Kendall has made an immediate impression at international level, with pundits stating she has just “has the quality” as a midfielder and looks like a “born talent”.

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

In her early interactions with the press, she stressed her willingness to fulfill any role for the benefit of the team.

According to Russo, Kendall’s assimilation was so smooth it seemed she’d been part of the group for ages.

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