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“She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League,” said England coach Sarina Wiegman with a grin.

For Lucia Kendall, the feeling was remarkably similar.

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

“I think the pitch needs some attention after that!” she joked, in reference to Kendall’s immaculate knee slide.

As the 21-year-old stood up, with a look of disbelief and surrounded by her team-mates, a wide smile spread across her face.

A Scripted Moment at a Familiar Ground

Southampton was her home for a decade; she was a core player there after coming through the academy and making 103 appearances prior to her July move to Aston Villa.

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

“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 said.

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

A Rapid Rise to Prominence

It may have been Southampton who “developed” Kendall, but a major decision at the age of 15 proved pivotal to her future.

The talented youngster was also a keen cricketer – her dad Will played for Hampshire – but ultimately had to choose between the sports just as she was breaking into Southampton's first-team squad. She opted for football.

“It was an interesting one. There was no time for me to do both anymore,” 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 realised I enjoy football a bit more.”

Growing up admiring Chelsea and Frank Lampard’s goal-getting midfield exploits, Kendall is embarking on her own path with similar attacking output.

Juggling life at Southampton with a psychology degree at university, it was clear early on that Kendall had the work ethic and commitment to become a star.

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

Her meteoric rise has seen her become a WSL regular 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,” said Wiegman.

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

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.

With 29 Southampton goals to her name, she commented, “The faith and consistent playing time I received from 16 was crucial.

“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].

“I understood the need to justify my selection at international level, where the tempo is higher, akin to moving up a league.”

Acknowledgment of Her Football Intelligence

At the highest level, she has appeared comfortable, 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 modest 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.

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo said it felt like Kendall had “been here for years” as she slotted straight into the squad.

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