‘As if she had won the Champions League’ - Kendall’s special evening for England
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,” remarked England manager Sarina Wiegman with a grin.
For Lucia Kendall, the feeling was comparable.
This comment came as Wiegman recalled the young midfielder’s ecstatic reaction to her maiden England goal – early in a win over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.
“They are still doing some treatment on the grass!” she quipped, in reference to Kendall’s flawless knee slide.
As the 21-year-old stood up, puffing out her cheeks and engulfed by her team-mates, a wide smile lit up her face.
A Fairytale Homecoming
Southampton was her home for ten years; she was a familiar face there after coming through the academy and making 103 appearances prior to her summer transfer to Aston Villa.
Therefore, scoring at St Mary's upon her homecoming and during just her third international match felt dreamlike.
“To do it here, where I was raised, was an immensely special moment. 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.”
A Rapid Rise to Prominence
It may have been Southampton who “made” Kendall, but a crucial decision at the age of 15 proved crucial to her future.
Despite being a capable cricketer (her father played for Hampshire), the looming demands of senior football at Southampton necessitated a decision. She selected football.
“It presented a dilemma. Juggling both became impossible,” Kendall explained in a previous 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 knew I enjoy football a bit more.”
Her idol growing up as a Chelsea fan was Frank Lampard – an England midfielder famed for his goalscoring talent – and Kendall has begun her career in a like fashion.
Balancing her football at Southampton with university studies in psychology showcased the discipline and dedication needed to excel.
The second-tier club held on to her for as long as they could, but when her contract expired in the summer, Villa pounced to put her in the Women's Super League spotlight.
Her rapid progress has seen her become a WSL regular and an England international in a very brief period.
“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.
“The pace of her rise has been breathtaking, yet she maintains her performance standard, proving her quality impressively.”
The midfielder was influential, later hitting the bar and nearly creating a goal for Kearns, prior to Russo’s late penalty.
Exiting the pitch to acclaim, the announcer highlighted 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 gave me a great foundation.
“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.”
Acknowledgment of Her Football Intelligence
Lucia Kendall made 103 appearances for Southampton before her move in July.
At the highest level, she has immediately looked the part, described as a natural midfielder who “understands”.
While mindful of protecting her young star, Wiegman is confident due to Kendall’s humble and professional attitude.
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 remarked that Kendall settled as if she’d been a long-term member.
“{This team's just gone on to win back-to
