Hope Powell's side ended their trip to China on a high after securing a highly creditable goalless draw against the top-ranked side in the world – Germany.
England had failed to register even a draw in the two countries' 15 previous encounters but the Three Lions produced a stirring display, dominating much of the game.
Once again, Kelly Smith was the star of the show for England with another impressive performance in the Guangdong Olympic Stadium and the result will have given the squad a major confidence boost ahead of the forthcoming World Cup finals.
Mary Phillip returned to the backline in place of Anita Asante, while Rachel Unitt and Jill Scott were called up for their first starts of the tournament. England started brightly, taking the game to the World and European champions.
In the 14th minute, Scott narrowly failed to get on the end of a cross from Smith and shortly after Rachel Yankey was inches away from a teasing ball into the box from Eniola Aluko.
On the half hour mark, Powell was forced to make a change when Phillip was withdrawn with a hamstring injury and replaced by Asante. The substitution didn't stop England's momentum, however, and minutes later Carney was inches away from sending Aluko in on goal.
Towards the end of the first half the Germans began to find their rhythm and Anja Mittag rattled England's woodwork with a free kick just outside the box after Lindsay Johnson was adjudged to have committed a foul.
At the start of the second period Germany made four substitutions, signalling that coach Silvia Neid was unhappy with her team's display. But the changes failed to gel instantly and it wasn't until the 69th minute that Navina Omilade almost got on the end of an inswinging free kick from Mittag.
Three minutes before the final whistle England almost grabbed a last-gasp winner when Vicky Exley's free kick found the unmarked Unitt but she failed to get a solid connection on her header.
As the whistle blew to end the game, England celebrated holding the Germans for the first time and they head into September's friendly matches against Russia, Scotland and Holland in buoyant mood.
