England leave it late to defeat Germany and lift the Arnold Clark Cup | OneFootball

Millie Bright and Fran Kirby scored late goals as England defeated Germany 3-1 at Molineux to win the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup.

Ellen White’s early goal looked to have set England on their way to lifting the first Arnold Clark Cup but Lina Magull’s sublime free-kick brought the scores back level. The Lionesses’ chance to lift the trophy looked to be on a knife edge until Bright and Kirby struck late goals from close range.

Germany threatened the England goal early on with both Maximiliane Rall and Magull forcing saves out of returning Lionesses keeper Ellie Roebuck.

At the other end, Kirby saw an effort blocked before the same player slotted in White who poked the ball home from just a few yards for the opener.

Georgia Stanway then saw a volleyed effort gathered by Merle Frohms in the German goal before Rall shot straight at Roebuck at the other end.

Despite coming into the tournament without a whole host of players, Germany always looked a threat in the attacking third and they were awarded a free-kick in the 41st minute when Alex Greenwood committed a foul on the edge of the box. Magull stepped up to take the free-kick and she crashed home her effort off the crossbar.

There were no chances of note in the early stages of the second half with both sides struggling to build any kind of momentum. Germany threatened the England goal on a couple of occasions but both Sara Däbritz and Klara Buhl failed to direct their efforts on target.

Leah Williamson then thumped one over from distance for England before Bright netted from close range six minutes from time after Lauren Hemp’s initial effort had been blocked.

Despite having established a slender advantage, England continued to push forward and Kirby slotted home their third goal in second half injury time after being played in one-on-one with Frohms.

England went on to lift the Arnold Clark Cup after beating Spain to the trophy on goals scored.