Gary Neville has heaped praise on England and manager Thomas Tuchel after their 4-2 victory over Croatia in the World Cup, describing their second-half performance as the best spell of football seen in the tournament so far.
Despite a chaotic opening in their Group L encounter, Tuchel's side rallied with a devastating burst after the interval that left the 2018 finalists reeling. Neville, speaking to Sky Sports, was effusive in his assessment.
Neville's high praise for Tuchel's England
"The way in which England played in that first 10, 15 minutes of the second half was probably the best 10, 15 minutes we've seen from any team in the tournament so far," Neville said. "That's not to get carried away because I know there's a long way to go and a game of football isn't over 10 or 15 minutes."
Neville highlighted the bravery and intensity of England's play, which saw them completely turn the match around. "It was really brave, it was a good night for him, the team in the second half were fantastic, it was a good performance," he added.
The former Manchester United defender also singled out Tuchel's influence, noting how the German coach had instilled a clear identity in the side. "You can see the fingerprints of Tuchel all over this team. The pressing, the quick transitions—it was a joy to watch," Neville observed.
France remain the team to beat
However, despite England's impressive showing, Neville stopped short of declaring them World Cup favourites. Instead, he pointed to France as the side still most likely to lift the trophy.
"I still think France are the favourites for the tournament. They have that experience, the depth, and they know how to win these big moments. England have set a marker, but it's only one game," Neville cautioned.
France, who begin their title defence later this week, boast a squad packed with world-class talent and are widely tipped to go deep into the competition. Neville's assessment aligns with many pundits who view Didier Deschamps' side as the benchmark.
What next for England?
Having navigated a potentially tricky opening fixture with such authority in the second half, England will now look to build momentum. The result puts them in a strong position in Group L, with matches against the group's other opponents to come.
Tuchel himself will be keen to manage expectations, but the performance will undoubtedly fuel belief among supporters that this could be the year England end their long wait for a major trophy.
Key Takeaways
- Gary Neville rated England's second-half spell against Croatia as the best football of the 2026 World Cup so far.
- He praised Thomas Tuchel's tactical approach and the team's bravery and intensity.
- Despite the glowing review, Neville insists France remain his favourites to win the tournament.
- England's 4-2 win puts them in a commanding position early in Group L.
Quick Facts
Match: England 4-2 Croatia, World Cup Group L
Key moment: First 10-15 minutes of the second half
Neville's quote: "Probably the best 10, 15 minutes we've seen from any team in the tournament so far."
Neville's tournament favourites: France
Source: Sky Sports
