Bright and Kirby seal England win over Germany to win Arnold Clark Cup

England earned a win over Germany for the second time in 27 attempts, to win the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup after late goals from Chelsea’s Millie Bright and Fran Kirby took the game beyond the visitors.

With draws against Canada and Spain, England top the standings in the friendly tournament based on goals scored, after finishing level on five points with Spain.

Ellen White opened proceedings in front of 13,463 fans to join Bobby Charlton on 49 goals for England and to move within four goals of Wayne Rooney’s record.

Her effort was cancelled out by Lina Magull’s powerful free-kick in the first half, but Bright’s poached effort on the rebound after a mazy run and strike from Lauren Hemp ensured England took three points and Kirby added the cherry on top of the win with a blistering goal on the counter in added time.

The England manager, Sarina Wiegman, had said it did not matter who was scoring for England, as long as they were scoring, but centre-back Bright’s volley was their solo goal of the tournament before this game.

There have been plenty of positives from the performances despite the lack of goals, with chances created aplenty and the defensive struggles suffered under Phil Neville look to be being ironed out.

Against a depleted Germany, with 12 regular squad members unable to be called up due to injury or Covid, Alex Greenwood and Bright were partnered in defence, Chelsea’s Jess Carter was shifted to left-back and Lucy Bronze was favoured, familiarly, on the right. Behind them, Manchester City’s Ellie Roebuck was given the opportunity to attempt to win back her No 1 shirt, making her first start under Wiegman.

Almost instantly England’s greatest threat, the fearless winger Hemp, went to work on the left, causing