A magical moment at St. Mary's Stadium on Tuesday night as England's women's team, the Lionesses, closed out 2025 with a victory over Ghana. But this wasn't just any win; it was a fairytale performance, especially from one of their rising stars, Lucia Kendall.
The Magic of Lucia Kendall
Kendall, one of England's brightest young talents, scored a goal that will go down in her personal history and the history of the Lionesses. It was a moment of pure joy as she found the back of the net at the stadium where she spent a memorable decade with Southampton. Her strike, assisted by the brilliant Chloe Kelly, came early in the game, suggesting a goal-filled night for England.
But here's where it gets controversial... despite their dominance and numerous chances, the Lionesses couldn't quite seal the deal until late in the game. Was it poor finishing, bad luck, or strong goalkeeping from Ghana's Cynthia Konlan? Perhaps a combination of all three!
Ghana, fresh from their third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, also had their moments. Doris Boaduwaa had a great chance in the first half, but England's Anna Moorhouse, making only her second appearance, kept her cool and held onto the shot.
The Lionesses' Defense and Midfield Mastery
The Lionesses' defense, led by the impressive Lucy Bronze and Maya Le Tissier, held firm. Bronze, in particular, was unlucky not to score herself, hitting the woodwork with a powerful header.
In midfield, Keira Walsh and Lucia Kendall stood out. Walsh, the Chelsea star, provided a sublime cross that should have led to an assist, while Kendall's awareness in the box broke the deadlock in a truly special way.
Attacking Threats and Subs' Impact
Up front, Jess Park and Aggie Beever-Jones caused problems for Ghana's defense, with Beever-Jones unlucky not to score with a header that hit the woodwork.
Substitutes Beth Mead and Lauren Hemp brought energy and creativity, with Hemp coming close to scoring with a header. Grace Clinton and Laura Blindkilde Brown, also introduced from the bench, contributed off the ball, winning crucial duels and showing positive play.
And this is the part most people miss... Alessia Russo, despite only playing the final 15 minutes, made a huge impact. She forced a great save, won the penalty, and then converted it herself!
A Year to Remember
England's win over Ghana capped off an incredible 2025, which saw them lift the European Championship title for the second year in a row. It was a year of success and a year of building for the future.
Sarina Wiegman, the Lionesses' manager, gave several players a chance to shine in this game, and it paid off. Kendall and Taylor Hinds, in particular, impressed and will be pushing for more playing time in the New Year.
So, what do you think? Was this a fair reflection of England's performance? And who do you think will be the key players for the Lionesses in 2027 as they aim for World Cup glory? Let's discuss in the comments!
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