🔗 Share this article

“She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League,” noted England manager Sarina Wiegman with a laugh.

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

Wiegman was describing the moment the Aston Villa midfielder raced away into the corner after netting her first Lionesses goal – six minutes into a triumph over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

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

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

A Dream Return to St Mary's

Southampton was her home for a decade; she was a familiar face there after coming through the academy and racking up 103 appearances prior to her July move to Aston Villa.

Consequently, scoring at her old stomping ground in only her third game for England was an incredible moment.

“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 stated.

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

‘Things Have Gone So Quickly’

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

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.

“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.

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

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

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

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

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

The midfielder was influential, later hitting the bar and nearly creating a goal for Kearns, prior to Russo’s late penalty.

She was substituted after an hour to a roar from the home crowd and the enthusiastic voice of the stadium announcer boasting that she was “Southampton's very own”.

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

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

“Entering the England setup, I was aware I had to demonstrate my worth. The increased pace felt like a step up in class.”

Praise for a Complete 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 “natural”.

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

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

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

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