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

And for Lucia Kendall, it wasn't far off.

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.

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

Rising to her feet among her celebrating colleagues, the young player displayed an expression of utter disbelief.

A Fairytale Homecoming

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 significant change.

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

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

“It seemed destined to happen. It was so special. I got consumed by emotion really.”

A Rapid Rise to Prominence

While Southampton played a key role in her development, a significant choice at 15 determined her trajectory.

The talented youngster was also a keen cricketer – her dad Will represented Hampshire – but ultimately had to choose between the sports just as she was breaking into Southampton's first-team squad. She chose football.

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

“I loved playing cricket growing up. It was a really difficult decision. I went back and forth, but when the time came, I understood I enjoy football a bit more.”

A Chelsea supporter, her childhood hero was the prolific England midfielder Frank Lampard, and Kendall’s early career is mirroring that goalscoring trend.

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

The club fought to keep her, but with her deal up, Villa moved decisively to bring her to the top flight.

Her rapid progress has seen her become a WSL regular and an England international in a very brief period.

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

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

Her performance was eye-catching; she came close to scoring again and was instrumental in another chance, preceding Russo’s spot-kick.

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

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

“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

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

The England manager wants to safeguard her exposure, citing the roles of both media and club, but is reassured by the player’s humble nature.

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.

Teammate Alessia Russo remarked that Kendall integrated as if she’d always been there.

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