Ellen White’s 89th-minute strike lifted England to a 1-0 victory over the United States on Saturday in the SheBelieves Cup at Harrison, New Jersey.
In front of a sell-out crowd of 25,000 at Red Bull Arena, England’s well-orchestrated defense frustrated the reigning Women’s World Cup champions before White slotted home from close-range at the death.
England’s women had only beaten the Americns once before — a 2-1 triumph in 2011.
The teams were deadlocked at 0-0 after a first half that saw few scoring chances. Although the United States, number one in the FIFA world rankings, were largely in control in the second half, England’s back line held firm.
White, who came on in the 76th minute, snatched the victory. Lucy Bronze had fired a shot off the crossbar and White was there to fire the rebound past goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris.
In the other match of the day’s double-header, France and Olympic champions Germany played to a goal-less draw.
The tournament, which features four of the top-five teams in the FIFA world rankings, continues on Tuesday when the United States play France and England face Germany.
For the European teams, the tournament is a tuneup for the UEFA Women’s Euro in the Netherlands in July.
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