Kendall celebrated scoring against Ghana as if she had won the Champions League – Sarina Wiegman

Lucia Kendall celebrated scoring against Ghana as if she won the Champions League, according to England manager Sarina Wiegman, who praised the midfielder’s exuberant reaction after her early opener at St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday.

The England coach highlighted the moment as a defining image of their 2-0 friendly win, noting the sheer emotion behind the player’s first senior international goal.

Wiegman described how Lucia Kendall reacted instantly to a loose ball in the box, steering home the opener inside six minutes.

She said, “She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League,” adding with a smile that staff were “still doing some treatment on the grass” after Kendall’s knee slide.

The midfielder’s sprint to the corner and the joy on her face captured the intensity of the moment.

Kendall, a former Southampton academy standout, returned to familiar surroundings for only her third England appearance.

Her celebration reflected the significance of scoring where she developed as a player.

“A really special moment for me to be able to do it here, where I grew up,” she told ITV.

England later wrapped up the result in stoppage time when Alessia Russo converted a penalty to seal the 2-0 victory over a spirited Ghana side.