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“Her celebration was worthy of a Champions League triumph,” remarked England boss Sarina Wiegman with a smile.

To Lucia Kendall, the moment was just as monumental.

This comment came as Wiegman recalled 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 added, poking fun at Kendall’s flawless knee slide.

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

A Scripted Moment at a Familiar Ground

Kendall was “a fixture” at Southampton – a club where she had devoted ten years, coming through their academy and making 103 appearances before moving to Villa in July.

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

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

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

A Meteoric Ascent

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

A skilled cricketer as well, with a father who played county cricket for Hampshire, she faced a choice between the two pursuits as her football career took off. Football won out.

“It was an interesting one. There was no time for me to do both anymore,” Kendall commented in a previous 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 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.

Her ability to handle first-team football alongside a psychology degree was evidence of the drive and dedication required for the top level.

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

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

“Maintaining her level immediately in a new league and club is difficult, yet she has done so,” admitted Wiegman.

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

Her performance was notable; she came close to scoring again and was instrumental in another chance, preceding Russo’s spot-kick.

Exiting the pitch to acclaim, the announcer highlighted her deep connection to the club and city.

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 was incredibly beneficial.

“The constant faith they placed in me gave me the confidence to take 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 observers stating she has just “understands the game” as a midfielder and looks like a “natural”.

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

In her early interactions with the press, she emphasized her willingness to play her part for the benefit of the team.

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

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