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

To Lucia Kendall, the moment carried similar weight.

Wiegman was reflecting on the moment the Aston Villa midfielder dashed into the corner after slotting her first Lionesses goal – early in a triumph over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

“They are still doing some treatment on the grass!” she quipped, referring to Kendall’s perfect knee slide.

Getting up from her slide, Kendall looked around with an amazed expression and a radiant grin.

A Fairytale Homecoming

Southampton was her home for a decade; she was a core player there after coming through the academy and making 103 appearances prior to her summer transfer to Aston Villa.

Therefore, scoring at St Mary's upon her return and during just her third international match felt dreamlike.

“A really special moment for me to be able to do it here, where I grew up. This place forged the player I am,” Kendall stated.

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

A Meteoric Ascent

Southampton laid the groundwork, yet a important decision made when she was 15 proved to be a turning point.

Despite being a talented cricketer (her father had a career with Hampshire), the impending demands of senior football at Southampton forced her hand. She selected football.

“It was an interesting one. There was no time for me to do both anymore,” Kendall said in a recent media conference.

“Growing up, I had a passion for cricket. The decision was genuinely tough. I went back and forth, but when the time came, I knew I enjoy football a bit more.”

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

Her ability to handle first-team football alongside a psychology degree indicated the mental fortitude and dedication required for the top level.

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

Within months the Winchester-born player has established herself, becoming a consistent starter in the top flight and breaking into the England squad.

“Maintaining her level immediately in a new league and club is difficult, yet she has done so,” noted 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, striking the crossbar later in the first half and almost setting up Villa team-mate Missy Bo Kearns for a goal, before Alessia Russo added a second with an injury-time penalty.

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

With 29 Southampton goals to her name, she commented, “The faith and consistent playing time I received from 16 was crucial.

“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 understood the need to justify my selection at international level, where the tempo is higher, akin to moving up a league.”

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

Kendall has made an instant impression at international level, with observers stating she has just “has the quality” as a midfielder and looks like a “natural”.

Wiegman is keen to protect her, saying the media can play a role in that and so can Villa, but she has no concerns because of how “down-to-earth” Kendall conducts herself.

Shortly after her maiden call-up, she faced reporters, expressing a desire to contribute while understanding the importance of the collective.

Teammate Alessia Russo remarked that Kendall integrated as if she’d been a long-term member.

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