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

To Lucia Kendall, the moment was just as monumental.

Wiegman was describing the moment the Aston Villa midfielder raced away into the corner after slotting her first Lionesses goal – during the opening stages of a win over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

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

As the 21-year-old rose, exhaling deeply and mobbed by her team-mates, a wide smile lit up her face.

A Dream Return to St Mary's

Having been “an integral part” of Southampton for ten years, where she progressed from the youth ranks to play over a century of games, her summer switch to Villa was a major move.

So when she saw the ball hit the back of the net at St Mary's Stadium on her homecoming, 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 said.

“It felt like it was written [in the stars]. It was so special. I got consumed by emotion really.”

‘Things Have Gone So Quickly’

It may have been Southampton who “developed” Kendall, but a crucial decision aged 15 proved pivotal to her future.

The gifted youngster was also a keen cricketer – her dad Will represented Hampshire – but ultimately had to choose between the sports just as she was earning a place in Southampton's first-team squad. She opted for football.

“It was a tough call. I simply couldn't manage both,” Kendall commented 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 realised I enjoy football a bit more.”

Her idol growing up as a Chelsea fan was Frank Lampard – an England midfielder famed for his goalscoring prowess – and Kendall has started out in a comparable fashion.

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

The club fought to keep her, but with her deal up, Villa seized the opportunity to introduce her to the top flight.

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

“She shows consistency and that's not easy when you just come into a new environment and into the WSL with Aston Villa,” noted Wiegman.

“Everything has happened at breakneck speed, but her ability to sustain her high standards is truly notable.”

Her performance was notable; she struck the woodwork and was instrumental in another chance, preceding Russo’s spot-kick.

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

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

“Their unwavering belief in my abilities made me feel prepared for the challenge ahead.

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

Praise for a Complete Midfielder

Kendall has made an immediate 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 “humble” Kendall acts.

Days after being called up by the Lionesses for the first time, Kendall was addressing the media saying she was keen 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 “was an old hand” as she integrated seamlessly into the squad.

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