'She celebrated like a Champions League final' – Kendall shines on homecoming as England beat Ghana
England laboured to a 2-0 friendly victory over Ghana on Tuesday, though there was a moment to savour for Lucia Kendall.
Sarina Wiegman was glad to see Lucia Kendall celebrate her first England goal "as if it was a Champions League final", though she acknowledged the Lionesses were not at their best in their 2-0 friendly win over Ghana.
Kendall, a Southampton academy graduate who joined Aston Villa in July, was handed just her second senior international start at St Mary's on Tuesday.
And she only required six minutes to get on the scoresheet in a routine victory, turning home when the ball fell to her inside the six-yard box.
Kendall also struck the crossbar – one of four times a much-changed England team hit the woodwork throughout the game – before Alessia Russo's late penalty sealed victory.
England racked up 24 shots (10 on target) with an expected goals (xG) value of 5.2, compared to just three shots (one on target) and 0.25 xG for Ghana.
While Wiegman admitted the European champions should have won by a healthier margin, she was pleased to see Kendall enjoy a memorable moment in familiar surroundings.
"I hoped we would score more. I think if we had taken our chances better, it would have been more than this," Wiegman told ITV Sport.
"There were a lot of different players, and we know as individuals they are really good, but we have to build those connections again.
"We're happy, but Lucia's goal was funny. She was so happy, and she celebrated as if it was a Champions League final! Good for her!
"When she played Australia last month, she almost had a goal and it was an enjoyable moment. A good goal too."
Though Lucy Bronze, Kiera Walsh and Chloe Kelly were among the big names to start for the hosts, Wiegman also handed opportunities to the likes of Missy Bo Kearns and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone were unused substitutes, while the likes of Russo, Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp and Grace Clinton got minutes off the bench.
Wiegman continued: "Of course, people got opportunities, like Missy Bo and she made some good runs in behind. I thought at times her execution could have been better.
"I think Lotte felt comfortable at the back and she already showed that at Arsenal. Taylor is right-footed and left-footed, that helps. She is showing more."
