Lucia Kendall found the net within six minutes of just her second England start.
“She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League,” said England boss Sarina Wiegman with a smile.
For Lucia Kendall, the feeling was almost identical.
Wiegman was recalling the moment the Aston Villa midfielder sprinted off into the corner after scoring her first Lionesses goal – six minutes into a triumph over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.
“I think the pitch needs some attention after that!” she joked, referring to Kendall’s immaculate knee slide.
As the 21-year-old got to her feet, exhaling deeply and engulfed by her team-mates, a broad smile appeared on her face.
A Scripted Moment at a Familiar Ground
Having been “an integral part” of Southampton for ten years, where she came up through the youth ranks to play over a century of games, her summer switch to Villa was a big step.
So when she scored at St Mary's Stadium on her homecoming, and on only her third England appearance, it was the pinnacle of her career.
“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 felt like it was written [in the stars]. It was so special. I got consumed by emotion really.”
A Rapid Rise to Prominence
Southampton laid the groundwork, yet a important decision made when she was 15 proved to be a turning point.
Despite being a capable cricketer (her father had a career with Hampshire), the impending demands of senior football at Southampton necessitated a decision. She went with football.
“It presented a dilemma. Juggling both became impossible,” Kendall commented in a October 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 understood I enjoy football a bit more.”
Her idol growing up as a Chelsea fan was Frank Lampard – an England midfielder renowned for his goalscoring ability – and Kendall has started out in a similar fashion.
Balancing her football at Southampton with university studies in psychology highlighted the discipline and ambition needed to excel.
The club did their utmost to keep her, but with her deal up, Villa seized the opportunity to bring her to the top flight.
Within months the Winchester-born player has made a name for herself, becoming a regular in the top flight and breaking into the England squad.
“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.”
Kendall certainly enjoyed herself at St Mary's, hitting 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.
Her substitution on the hour mark was met with a loud reception from fans and an announcer proudly declaring her local roots.
Kendall scored 29 goals for the club in more than a decade of service and added: “Being at Southampton for so long, I played regular senior football from the age of 16 and that gave me a great foundation.
“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.”
Praise for a Complete Midfielder
Lucia Kendall made 103 appearances for Southampton before her move in the summer.
At the highest level, she has appeared comfortable, described as a gifted midfielder who “understands”.
While mindful of shielding her young star, Wiegman is unworried due to Kendall’s grounded and focused attitude.
Days after being called up by the Lionesses for the first time, Kendall was sitting in front of the media saying she was eager 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 “been here for years” as she integrated seamlessly into the squad.
“{This team's just gone on to win back-to
