England were crowned Arnold Clark Cup champions as they defeated Germany 3-1 in Wolverhampton thanks to goals from Ellen White, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby.
The LIonesses pipped Spain to the prize on goals scored thanks to Bright and Kirby’s late goals. The Chelsea defender scored late on to cancel out a fantastic Lina Magull equaliser for the Germans before Kirby put the cherry on top with a solo effort in second half stoppage time.
It was an even start in the game with Germany going closest early on when a Maximiliane Rall header from a corner was saved by Ellie Roebuck. The Man City number one then made a dangerous error gifting Germany a chance which was gathered by the England goalkeeper
A Georgia Stanway cross then avoided everyone at the other end before it was played back to Kirby whose effort was blocked.
It took only 15 minutes for England to take the lead as White made it goal 49 in a Lionesses shirt.
England then lost Jess Carter to injury after an early collison. The Chelsea defender succumbing to the pain, being replaced by Rachel Daly shortly after the half hour mark.
Germany then upped the ante as they continued to cause trouble down their left flank. A foul from Alex Greenwood which earned the Man City defender a yellow card proved to be decisive.
Lina Magull stepped up for the set piece and sublimely found the back of the net. The effort come down off the crossbar past the reach of Roebuck.
It was all even at the break with England knowing that a win now would secure them the Arnold Clark Cup with a second goal seeing them score more than Spain.
Germany made a change at the break bringing on young starlet, Jule Brand.
England continued to attack in the second half with the introduction of Nikita Parris. The Arsenal forward unsuccessfully claiming for a penalty during an attack.
A golden chance fell to Germany on 75 minutes with multiple attackers failing to send a dangerous low cross towards Roebuck’s goal.
The Lionesses then looked to respond with an attack of their own. Ever-dangerous Lauren Hemp feeding White whose lay-off for Kirby resulted in the Chelsea forward seeing her effort blocked.
As over 13,000 people watched on at Molineux the crowd continued to roar on the Lionesses in the search for competition glory.
Brand picked up a yellow card for a late challenge but the England free kick evaded the reach of Bright as Leah Williamson fired a long-range effort over the bar moments later.
A tactical change from Sarina Wiegman resulted in Lucy Bronze and White making way, pushing defender Bright up front. The Chelsea player needing all of two minutes to send the Lionesses ahead.
Hemp provided the quality with a mazy run before the ball fell to Bright who hammered home from close range for her second goal of the tournament.
England then set to defend the precious lead in the closing minutes. It was to be more goal celebrations for the Lionesses though as Kirby broke away in stoppage time.
In the 94th minute of three added on, the Chelsea forward finished a solo run by passing the ball over Merle Frohms and making it 3-1.
The trophy was England’s as they were crowned inaugural Arnold Clark Cup champions.