It took Lucia Kendall only six minutes to score in her second starting appearance for England.
“She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League,” noted England boss Sarina Wiegman with a smile.
To Lucia Kendall, the moment was just as monumental.
Wiegman was describing the moment the Aston Villa midfielder dashed into the corner after netting her first Lionesses goal – early in a 2-0 victory over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.
“They are still doing some treatment on the grass!” she added, referring to Kendall’s perfect knee slide.
As the 21-year-old stood up, exhaling deeply and mobbed by her team-mates, a broad smile spread across her face.
Kendall was “part of the furniture” at Southampton – a club where she had been for ten seasons, coming through their academy and making 103 appearances before moving to Villa in July.
Consequently, scoring at her old stomping ground in only her third game for England was an unbelievable experience.
“It was a truly special moment to achieve this here, in my hometown. This place forged the player I am,” Kendall said.
“It felt like it was written [in the stars]. It was so special. I got flooded with emotion really.”
It may have been Southampton who “made” Kendall, but a major decision aged 15 proved decisive to her future.
The talented youngster was also a keen cricketer – her dad Will represented Hampshire – but eventually had to choose between the sports just as she was earning a place in Southampton's first-team squad. She opted for football.
“It presented a dilemma. Juggling both became impossible,” Kendall commented in a recent 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 understood 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 instincts.
Balancing her football at Southampton with university studies in psychology demonstrated the discipline and ambition needed to excel.
Southampton kept their prized asset for the maximum time, but upon her contract expiry, Villa secured her signature to the WSL.
Within months the Winchester-born player has risen to prominence, becoming a regular in the top flight and earning a place in the England squad.
“Displaying consistency is challenging for any new arrival in the WSL, but she has managed it,” 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, 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.
Exiting the pitch to acclaim, the announcer emphasized her deep connection to the club and city.
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 stood me in really good stead.
“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.”
Prior to her summer switch, Kendall featured in 103 games for Southampton.
Her smooth transition to the international stage has led to praise for her innate midfield qualities and natural demeanour.
Wiegman is keen to shield her, saying the media can play a role in that and so can Villa, but she has no concerns because of how “humble” Kendall conducts herself.
Shortly after her maiden call-up, she spoke to reporters, expressing a desire to contribute while understanding the importance of the collective.
Teammate Alessia Russo observed that Kendall integrated as if she’d been a long-term member.
“{This team's just gone on to win back-to
