It took Lucia Kendall only six minutes to score in her second starting appearance for England.
“She reacted like a Champions League winner,” remarked England manager Sarina Wiegman with a smile.
And for Lucia Kendall, it felt incredibly close.
Wiegman was describing the moment the Aston Villa midfielder raced away into the corner after netting her first Lionesses goal – early in a triumph over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.
“I think the pitch needs some attention after that!” she added, poking fun at Kendall’s perfect knee slide.
Getting up from her slide, Kendall looked around with cheeks puffed and a massive grin.
Kendall was “part of the furniture” at Southampton – a club where she had spent a decade, rising through 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.
“To do it here, where I was raised, was an immensely special moment. This place shaped 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.”
Southampton laid the groundwork, yet a important decision made when she was 15 proved to be a turning point.
A proficient cricketer as well, with a father who played county cricket for Hampshire, she faced a choice between the two pursuits as her football career began to flourish. Football was the choice.
“It was a tough call. I simply couldn't manage both,” Kendall said 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 understood 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 similar attacking output.
Balancing her football at Southampton with university studies in psychology demonstrated the discipline and ambition needed to excel.
Southampton held onto their prized asset as long as possible, but upon her contract expiry, Villa brought her in to the WSL.
In a matter of months, Kendall has rapidly ascended, securing a regular place in the WSL and a call-up to the national team.
“Maintaining her level immediately in a new league and club is difficult, yet she has done so,” admitted 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, striking 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.
Exiting the pitch to applause, the announcer emphasized her deep connection to the club and city.
Having netted 29 times for Southampton during her long tenure, she said, “My early exposure to senior football there from 16 was invaluable experience.
“Their unwavering belief in my abilities made me feel prepared for the challenge ahead.
“I understood the need to justify my selection at international level, where the tempo is higher, akin to moving up a league.”
Kendall’s tenure at Southampton concluded after 103 matches in 2025.
Her seamless transition to the international stage has led to praise for her innate midfield qualities and effortless demeanour.
The England manager aims to safeguard her exposure, citing the roles of both media and club, but is reassured by the player’s humble nature.
In her early interactions with the press, she emphasized her willingness to fulfill any role for the benefit of the team.
According to Russo, Kendall’s integration was so smooth it seemed she’d been part of the group for ages.
“{This team's just gone on to win back-to
