England's Lionesses concluded their 2025 'Homecoming Series' with a 2-0 victory over Ghana at a rain-swept St Mary's Stadium in Southampton. The win, built on an early strike from rising star Lucia Kendall and a late penalty from Alessia Russo, provided valuable minutes for the squad but also highlighted areas for improvement in front of goal.
Kendall's Dream Start Continues
It took just six minutes for the 21-year-old midfielder to make her mark. A scuffed clearance from Ghana's Bénédicte Simon fell kindly to Kendall following a Chloe Kelly cross, allowing the Aston Villa player to slot home from close range. The goal was a poignant moment for the Winchester-born talent, who graduated from Southampton's academy before her summer move.
Kendall's rapid ascent has been a standout narrative of England's post-Euros year. After a player-of-the-match full debut against Australia in October, she has seamlessly transitioned into Sarina Wiegman's plans. Veteran defender Lucy Bronze admitted her own surprise at the youngster's impact, stating she didn't know who Kendall was at the season's start but now sees her as a future star for England.
Wiegman's Praise and Squad Rotation
Manager Sarina Wiegman was effusive in her praise for Kendall's consistency and adaptability. "People think that it is really easy, but going from camp and the high demands back into club football and still keeping up her levels and keeping going is hard," Wiegman said. "That's what she does well."
The match saw Wiegman make seven changes from the side that thrashed China 8-0 days earlier, using the friendly to integrate younger talents. The lineup featured several graduates from the revamped Under-23s setup, including Aggie Beever-Jones, Missy Bo Kearns, and Maya Le Tissier, highlighting the pathway Wiegman established in 2021.
Clinical Edge Missing Despite Dominance
While the scoreline was less emphatic than against China, England's dominance was clear. The Lionesses racked up 24 shots to Ghana's three, with ten on target. However, a combination of wayward finishing, good goalkeeping, and misfortune—England hit the woodwork four times—prevented a more comprehensive victory.
The second goal finally arrived deep into added time. Substitute Alessia Russo's header was adjudged to have struck the hand of Comfort Yeboah. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded, which Russo, freshly crowned the Football Supporters' Association Women's Player of the Year, calmly converted to seal the win for the 20,252-strong crowd.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The match served as a crucial building block less than 18 months from the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The integration of emerging talent from the Under-23s adds depth and competition, vital for navigating future tournaments. England ends 2025 with two wins from their homecoming fixtures, a rotated squad, and promising new faces firmly in the frame.
Off the pitch, the future remains bright, with a joint UK and Ireland bid for the 2035 Women's World Cup now submitted to FIFA. This provides the next generation of girls with a major target, inspired by the rapid rise of players like Lucia Kendall.
