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

To Lucia Kendall, the moment felt just as significant.

Wiegman was recalling the moment the Aston Villa midfielder sprinted off into the corner after slotting her first Lionesses goal – six minutes into a 2-0 victory over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

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

As the 21-year-old got to her feet, with a look of disbelief and engulfed by her team-mates, a beaming smile lit up her face.

A Fairytale Homecoming

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.

So when she scored at St Mary's Stadium on her homecoming, and on only her third England cap, it was the pinnacle of her career.

“To do it here, where I was raised, was an immensely special moment. This place shaped the player I am,” Kendall remarked.

“It appeared as though it was fate. It was so special. I got overwhelmed with emotion really.”

A Meteoric Ascent

It may have been Southampton who “developed” Kendall, but a major decision aged 15 proved decisive to her future.

A skilled cricketer as well, with a father who was a cricketer for Hampshire, she was forced to decide between the two pursuits as her football career began to flourish. Football won out.

“It presented a dilemma. Juggling both became impossible,” 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 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 following that goalscoring trend.

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

The second-tier club retained her for as long as they could, but when her contract expired in the summer, Villa swooped to put her in the Women's Super League limelight.

Within months the Winchester-born player has risen to prominence, becoming a consistent starter 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.

“Things have gone so quickly so fast, but she just keeps up her levels and shows she is a good player - and that is impressive.”

Kendall certainly enjoyed herself at St Mary's, hitting the crossbar later in the first half and almost teeing up Villa team-mate Missy Bo Kearns for a goal, before Alessia Russo added a second with an injury-time penalty.

Exiting the pitch to applause, 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.

“Their unwavering belief in my abilities made me feel prepared for the challenge ahead.

“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 seamless transition to the international stage has led to praise for her innate midfield qualities and effortless demeanour.

Wiegman is eager 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 is.

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

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