Ellen White scored as England left it late to beat Germany at home for the first time in their history and win the Arnold Clark Cup.

The Manchester City striker gave the Lionesses a 15th minute lead with a close-range finish, but Lina Magull levelled the scores with a superb 20-yard free-kick.

Millie Bright restored England’s advantage with six minutes remaining after good work from Lauren Hemp, before Fran Kirby scored a fine individual goal to wrap up a 3-1 victory that lifted the Lionesses above Spain on goal difference to win the four-team tournament.

Spain’s win against Canada earlier in the day meant England went into the game needing a two-goal victory to be crowned champions of the inaugural round-robin competition.

Seven City players started at Molineux, with Ellie Roebuck, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway selected alongside Hemp and White, whilst Demi Stokes and the on-loan Jill Scott were among the substitutes.

Roebuck, who was making her first appearance under Wiegman, survived an early scare when her attempt to play out from the back was cut out and she was forced into a smart save by Magull.

Minutes later, White poked England in front after Stanway and Kirby combined on the edge of the area.

The Chelsea forward saw her initial effort to release White blocked, but steered the ball into her path at the second attempt and the striker took the pass in her stride to convert the 49th goal of her England career.

Already the Lionesses highest goalscorer, she is now joint-second on England’s all-time list for men and women alongside Sir Bobby Charlton.

Stanway went close to doubling England’s lead in sensational fashion as she controlled Bronze’s cross on her chest and fired an acrobatic volley goalwards, but it was Germany who struck next as Magull punished Greenwood’s foul by curling a wonderful free-kick in off the crossbar.

Hemp was the most dangerous player on the pitch as England searched for a winner after the break, tormenting her opposite number with her powerful running down the left flank and it was one such move which created the crucial breakthrough.

The home side switched to three at the back in a bid to find a second goal, with Bright sent up front as a makeshift striker, and the Chelsea centre-back was in the right place to fire home after the City winger’s initial effort was blocked.

That would have been enough for England to win the tournament on goals scored, but as Germany tried to respond, Hemp won a header to release Kirby, who carried the ball from inside her own half before slotting a cool finish to give the Lionesses only their second victory over Germany.