‘Like a Champions League win’ - Kendall’s special evening for England
Lucia Kendall hit the net within six minutes of just her second England start.
“She reacted like a Champions League winner,” remarked England coach Sarina Wiegman with a grin.
And for Lucia Kendall, it felt incredibly close.
This comment came as Wiegman recalled the young midfielder’s ecstatic reaction to her maiden England goal – during the opening stages of a win over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.
“The ground staff might need to repair that turf!” she added, poking fun at Kendall’s flawless knee slide.
Getting up from her slide, Kendall looked around with cheeks puffed and a radiant grin.
A Fairytale Homecoming
Kendall was “part of the furniture” at Southampton – a club where she had spent a decade, coming through their academy and making 103 games before joining Villa in July.
Consequently, scoring at her old stomping ground in only her third game for England was an incredible moment.
“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 stated.
“It appeared as though it was fate. It was so special. I got flooded with emotion really.”
‘Things Have Gone So Quickly’
Southampton laid the groundwork, yet a important decision made when she was 15 shaped her destiny.
The talented youngster was also a accomplished cricketer – her dad Will played for Hampshire – but ultimately had to pick one of the sports just as she was earning a place in Southampton's first-team squad. She chose football.
“It was a tough call. I simply couldn't manage both,” 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 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 prowess – and Kendall has started out in a similar fashion.
Balancing her football at Southampton with university studies in psychology showcased the discipline and ambition 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 acted quickly to put her in the Women's Super League limelight.
In a matter of months, Kendall has rapidly ascended, securing a regular place in the WSL and a call-up to the national team.
“Maintaining her level immediately in a new league and club is difficult, yet she has done so,” 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 teeing 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 applause, the announcer emphasized her deep connection to the club and city.
With 29 Southampton goals to her name, she commented, “The trust and consistent playing time I received from 16 proved vital.
“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].
“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 exit in 2025.
At the highest level, she has immediately looked the part, described as a natural midfielder who “gets it”.
While mindful of shielding her young star, Wiegman is confident due to Kendall’s humble and professional attitude.
In her early interactions with the press, she emphasized her willingness to play her part for the benefit of the team.
According to Russo, Kendall’s assimilation was so smooth it seemed she’d been part of the group for ages.
“{This team's just gone on to win back-to
