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“She reacted like a Champions League winner,” said England manager Sarina Wiegman with a smile.

For Lucia Kendall, the feeling was almost identical.

This comment came as Wiegman recalled the young midfielder’s elated reaction to her maiden England goal – six minutes into a 2-0 victory over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

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

Rising to her feet amidst her celebrating colleagues, the young player showed an expression of overwhelming happiness.

A Dream Return to St Mary's

Having been “a staple” 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.

Therefore, scoring at St Mary's upon her return and during just her third international match felt dreamlike.

“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 overwhelmed with emotion really.”

A Meteoric Ascent

Southampton built her foundation, yet a formative decision made when she was 15 proved to be a turning point.

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

“It was an interesting one. There was no time for me to do both anymore,” Kendall commented 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 realised I enjoy football a bit more.”

Growing up admiring Chelsea and Frank Lampard’s goal-getting midfield exploits, Kendall is starting her own path with comparable attacking output.

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

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

Her meteoric rise 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.”

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

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

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

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

Teammate Alessia Russo observed that Kendall integrated as if she’d been a long-term member.

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