‘As if she had won the Champions League’ - Kendall’s unforgettable evening for England
Lucia Kendall found the net within six minutes of just her second England start.
“She reacted like a Champions League winner,” said England coach Sarina Wiegman with a laugh.
And for Lucia Kendall, it wasn't far off.
Wiegman was recalling the moment the Aston Villa midfielder raced away into the corner after slotting her first Lionesses goal – during the opening stages of a 2-0 victory over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.
“The ground staff might need to repair that turf!” she joked, in reference to Kendall’s perfect knee slide.
Getting up from her slide, Kendall looked around with cheeks puffed and a radiant grin.
A Fairytale Homecoming
Having been “a staple” of Southampton for a decade, where she progressed from the youth ranks to play over a century of games, her summer switch to Villa was a significant change.
Therefore, scoring at St Mary's upon her homecoming and during just her third international match felt extraordinarily special.
“To do it here, where I was raised, was an immensely special moment. This place shaped the player I am,” Kendall said.
“It seemed destined to happen. It was so special. I got flooded with emotion really.”
‘Things Have Gone So Quickly’
While Southampton played a key role in her development, a critical choice at 15 determined her trajectory.
A proficient cricketer as well, with a father who was a cricketer for Hampshire, she faced a choice between the two pursuits as her football career began to flourish. Football won out.
“It presented a dilemma. Juggling both became impossible,” 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 knew I enjoy football a bit more.”
A Chelsea supporter, her idol was the prolific England midfielder Frank Lampard, and Kendall’s early career is mirroring that goalscoring trend.
Balancing her football at Southampton with university studies in psychology highlighted the focus and dedication needed to excel.
Southampton kept their prized asset for the maximum time, but upon her contract expiry, Villa signed her to the WSL.
Within months the Winchester-born player has established herself, becoming a regular in the top flight and earning a place in 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,” said 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 coming close to providing an assist for Kearns, prior to Russo’s late 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.
“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 2025.
Kendall has made an instant impression at international level, with observers stating she has just “has the quality” as a midfielder and looks like a “natural”.
The England manager wants to safeguard her exposure, citing the roles of both media and club, but is reassured by the player’s humble nature.
In her early interactions with the press, she emphasized her willingness to fulfill any role for the benefit of the team.
According to Russo, Kendall’s assimilation was so smooth it seemed she’d was a veteran presence.
“{This team's just gone on to win back-to
