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

For Lucia Kendall, the feeling was comparable.

This comment came as Wiegman spoke about the young midfielder’s joyous reaction to her maiden England goal – during the opening stages of a triumph 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.

Rising to her feet within her celebrating colleagues, the young player displayed an expression of overwhelming happiness.

A Fairytale Homecoming

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

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

“To do it here, where I was raised, was an immensely special moment. This place made me into the player I am,” Kendall stated.

“It felt like it was written [in the stars]. It was so special. I got flooded with emotion really.”

‘Things Have Gone So Quickly’

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

Despite being a capable cricketer (her father played for Hampshire), the impending demands of senior football at Southampton forced her hand. She went with football.

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

“Growing up, I had a passion for cricket. The decision was genuinely tough. I went back and forth, but when the time came, I understood I enjoy football a bit more.”

Her idol growing up as a Chelsea fan was Frank Lampard – an England midfielder renowned for his goalscoring ability – and Kendall has started out in a similar fashion.

Her ability to handle first-team football alongside a psychology degree indicated the mental fortitude 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 spotlight.

In a matter of months, Kendall has rapidly ascended, securing a regular place in the WSL and a call-up to the national team.

“Displaying consistency is challenging for any new arrival in the WSL, but she has managed it,” said 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 teeing up Villa team-mate Missy Bo Kearns for a goal, before Alessia Russo added a second with an injury-time penalty.

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

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 natural demeanour.

The England manager aims 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 addressing the media saying she was keen 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