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“She reacted like a Champions League winner,” noted England manager Sarina Wiegman with a smile.

And for Lucia Kendall, it wasn't far off.

The England boss was commenting on the instant the Villa player ran off in jubilation following her debut international strike – early in 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 perfect knee slide.

Getting up from her slide, Kendall took in the moment with cheeks puffed and a huge grin.

A Fairytale Homecoming

Southampton was her home for a decade; she was a core player there after graduating from the academy and racking up 103 appearances prior to her July move to Aston Villa.

So when she found the net at St Mary's Stadium on her return, and on only her third England appearance, it was the stuff of dreams.

“A really special moment for me to be able to do it here, where I grew up. This place forged the player I am,” Kendall remarked.

“It seemed destined to happen. It was so special. I got overwhelmed with emotion really.”

A Rapid Rise to Prominence

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

Despite being a capable cricketer (her father had a career with Hampshire), the impending demands of senior football at Southampton necessitated a decision. She selected football.

“It was an interesting one. There was no time for me to do both anymore,” Kendall said 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 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 comparable attacking output.

Balancing her football at Southampton with university studies in psychology demonstrated the discipline and ambition needed to excel.

The club did their utmost to keep her, but with her deal up, Villa seized the opportunity to bring her to the top flight.

Within months the Winchester-born player has established herself, becoming a regular in the top flight and breaking into the England squad.

“She shows consistency and that's not easy when you just come into a new environment and into the WSL with Aston Villa,” 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, 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.

She came off after an hour to a roar from the home crowd and the enthusiastic voice of the stadium announcer proclaiming 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.

“I knew that I had to go in [to England] and prove why I should be playing at this level. The speed of the game is quicker and it was like going up a division.”

‘Technically and Tactically, She Is a Very Strong Midfielder’

Her smooth transition to the international stage has led to praise for her innate midfield qualities and natural demeanour.

While mindful of shielding her young star, Wiegman is unworried due to Kendall’s grounded and focused attitude.

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

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