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“Her celebration was worthy of a Champions League triumph,” said England coach Sarina Wiegman with a laugh.

To Lucia Kendall, the moment was just as monumental.

The England boss was commenting on the instant the Villa player ran off in jubilation following her debut international strike – during the opening stages of a win over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

“They are still doing some treatment on the grass!” she joked, in reference to Kendall’s immaculate knee slide.

Getting up from her slide, Kendall looked around with an amazed expression and a radiant grin.

A Dream Return to St Mary's

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

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

“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 stated.

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

A Rapid Rise to Prominence

Southampton built her foundation, yet a important decision made when she was 15 shaped her destiny.

The talented youngster was also a avid cricketer – her dad Will represented Hampshire – but ultimately had to pick one of the sports just as she was breaking into Southampton's first-team squad. She chose football.

“It was a tough call. I simply couldn't manage both,” Kendall explained 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 similar attacking output.

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

Southampton held onto their prized asset for the maximum time, but upon her contract expiry, Villa secured her signature to the WSL.

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.”

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

She was substituted after an hour to a cheer from the home crowd and the enthusiastic voice of the stadium announcer proclaiming that she was “Southampton's very own”.

Having scored 29 times for Southampton during her long tenure, she reflected, “My early exposure to senior football there from 16 was invaluable experience.

“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

At the highest level, she has immediately looked the part, described as a natural midfielder who “has it”.

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

Days after being called up by the Lionesses for the first time, Kendall was sitting in front of the media saying she was eager to impress, but also understood the need for the team's greater good and whatever role she needed to play in that.

Teammate Alessia Russo observed that Kendall settled as if she’d always been there.

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