Ellen White scored in the 89th minute against world champions USA in New Jersey to clinch a stunning 1-0 victory for England Women on Saturday.
White’s winner came in the second edition of the SheBelieves Cup, a friendly tournament competed in by the world’s top-four FIFA ranked teams.
The victory was the Lionesses’ first win over the USA since the 2011 Women’s World Cup, with White plundering in from close range at the Red Bull Arena following Lucy Bronze’s cracking drive from 25 yards, which rebounded out off the bottom of the crossbar.
England, who are the lowest ranked of the four teams competing in the cup, lost their opening game to France on Wednesday and had to rely on goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain to make a stunning save after the 19th minute to deny Rose Lavelle from point-black range.
Mark Sampson’s side were missing defender Casey Stoney due to a hamstring injury – they will also be without the 34-year-old for the remainder of the competition – but, after a shaky start, the Lionesses grew into the fixture.
Striker Nikita Parris brought a superb save from Ashlyn Harris with a fierce drive after 32 minutes before Toni Duggan fired an effort inches over the bar shortly afterwards.
Duggan brought Harris into action again after 71 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick as England grew in confidence, before White grabbed a dramatic winner.
England will next face Germany in their final game on Tuesday, with Sampson looking to build ahead of this summer’s European Championship in the Netherlands.
White and co will compete against Spain, Portugal and Scotland in Group D, with Sampson urging his side to build towards the “battle of Britain”.
England will next face Italy and Austria in April as further preparation, before turning their attentions firmly towards the Euros.
