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

And for Lucia Kendall, it felt incredibly close.

The England boss was discussing the instant the Villa player ran off in jubilation following her debut international strike – six minutes into a triumph over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

“I think the pitch needs some attention after that!” she quipped, poking fun at Kendall’s perfect knee slide.

Getting up from her slide, Kendall looked around with cheeks puffed and a huge grin.

A Fairytale Homecoming

Kendall was “a fixture” at Southampton – a club where she had been for ten seasons, graduating from their academy and making 103 appearances before moving to Villa in July.

Therefore, scoring at St Mary's upon her homecoming and during just her third international match felt extraordinarily special.

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

“It seemed destined to happen. 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 major decision at the age of 15 proved pivotal to her future.

The gifted youngster was also a keen cricketer – her dad Will represented Hampshire – but eventually 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 commented in a recent media conference.

“I adored cricket as a child. Making the choice was very hard. I went back and forth, but when the time came, I knew 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 begun her career in a similar fashion.

Her ability to manage first-team football alongside a psychology degree indicated the mental fortitude and dedication required for the top level.

Southampton kept their prized asset for the maximum time, but upon her contract expiry, Villa signed her to the WSL.

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

“Maintaining her level immediately in a new league and club is difficult, yet she has done so,” 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 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 set me up perfectly.

“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

Her smooth transition to the international stage has led to praise for her innate midfield qualities and natural demeanour.

Wiegman is eager to protect her, saying the media can play a role in that and so can Villa, but she has no concerns because of how “down-to-earth” Kendall acts.

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

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo said it felt like Kendall had “fitted in instantly” as she integrated seamlessly into the squad.

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