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

To Lucia Kendall, the moment felt just as significant.

This comment came as Wiegman spoke about the young midfielder’s elated reaction to her maiden England goal – during the opening stages of a triumph over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

“The ground staff might need to repair that turf!” she joked, in reference to Kendall’s immaculate knee slide.

As the 21-year-old got to her feet, puffing out her cheeks and surrounded by her team-mates, a broad smile spread across her face.

A Scripted Moment at a Familiar Ground

Southampton was her home for ten years; she was a familiar face there after graduating from the academy and racking up 103 appearances prior to her summer transfer to Aston Villa.

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

“It was a truly special moment to achieve this here, in my hometown. This place made me into the player I am,” Kendall remarked.

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

A Rapid Rise to Prominence

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

Despite being a capable cricketer (her father played for Hampshire), the looming demands of senior football at Southampton forced her hand. She went with football.

“It presented a dilemma. Juggling both became impossible,” Kendall said in a previous 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 idol 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 highlighted the focus and dedication needed to excel.

Southampton kept their prized asset as long as possible, but upon her contract expiry, Villa brought her in to the WSL.

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

“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.”

The midfielder had a lively game, later hitting the bar and coming close to providing an assist for Kearns, prior to Russo’s late penalty.

She came off after an hour to a ovation from the home crowd and the enthusiastic voice of the stadium announcer proclaiming that she was “Southampton's very own”.

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].

“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 “understands the game” as a midfielder and looks like a “born talent”.

Wiegman is keen to shield her, saying the media can play a role in that and so can Villa, but she has no concerns because of how “grounded” Kendall acts.

In her early interactions with the press, she stressed her willingness to fulfill any role for the benefit of the team.

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo said it felt like Kendall had “was an old hand” as she slotted straight into the squad.

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