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Gary Neville says France are “a level above” any other team at the World Cup following their 3-0 win over Sweden.
Blues captain Kylian Mbappé New York scored twice in New Jersey – with Sky Sports “On the brink of greatness,” added the pundit forward as he went level Lionel Messi in the running for the Golden Boot of the tournament.
Mbappe and Michael Olis were brilliant throughout, giving Graham Potter’s side little hope of pulling off a push. France’s win means they set up a tie with Germany-Paraguay in the last 16 in Philadelphia on Saturday – but Neville hardly sees Didier Deschamps’ side losing.
He said ITV Sport: “That’s a real statement. We know they’re favorites for the tournament, but what we saw was precision, destruction.
“I always look at games from a defensive point of view – the way these four (attacking players: Mbappe, Olise, Dembele and Barkola) started the game will be a nightmare for every single defender in this tournament and I don’t know how you stop it.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to send France into the last 16 of the World Cup.
“It’s a level above. Brazil won at the last minute, Germany and the Netherlands went out. They’re showing everyone in this round how to do it.
“Everything they do is strong. It’s great to watch and it’s the best performance in the tournament so far.
“There’s a long way to go, but you look at them now and think ‘you’ll be disappointed if you don’t win it’ because they’re so far ahead of every other team in terms of level.”
Kylian Mbappe ‘on the brink of greatness’, says Gary Neville after France beat Sweden
Mbappe scored in both halves, sandwiched between Bradley Barkola’s goals. Neville was effusive in his praise for the France captain at half-time – even before he headed home another beauty.
“Watching Mbappe in the first half, he reminds me of the Brazilian Ronaldo. It’s absolutely terrifying,” he added. “Little shimmy. It’s devastating.
“Patrick (Vieira) said the other day that this is Mbappe’s World Cup and I totally agree. He’s just one level up. He’s on the brink of greatness.”
Mbappe: I know what’s at stake
Kylian Mbappe leads France to victory over Sweden in East Rutherford
After the game, Mbappe took a ‘matter-of-fact’ view of his contribution. He has now scored 18 World Cup goals – one behind Messi.
He said: “I’m fully aware of what’s at stake, where I am and what I have to do. The team also knows what they have to do here… We started hard but played well today.”
Didier Deschamps He also had kind words for captain Mbappe, whom he made captain in March 2023 following the retirement of Hugo Lloris.
The France boss said: “Kylian knows how to defend. He also scores goals – more than anyone else. I told you from day one: he is on a mission. Even if you don’t always tell me that… even in fitness drills he was finishing first.
“I said a long time ago that he has embraced his role as captain. The image that people on the outside might have of him doesn’t always – in fact, rarely – reflect who he really is.”
After scoring his first goal, Mbappe went off to celebrate with Deschamps, in a touching moment for the players and their boss, as did the entire France team. The manager returned to the dugout on Tuesday after temporarily missing the World Cup following the death of his mother.
The Real Madrid forward said of the moment: “This is the DNA of this team. We are all here together. The coach went through something that, unfortunately, everyone experiences at some point in life. It is incredibly difficult. He will never be alone with us. We will support him.”
France matches unique style with substance
France is the highest scorer in this World Cup so far
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:
Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe have scored six goals in this year’s World Cup. But the connection between France’s leading marksman and Michael Ollis is as clear as can be seen.
Mbappe created the most chances and dribbled the most jointly. Then it’s Ollis’ turn to make the most shots and generate the most touches. Together they were irresistible.
France’s entire front four were, indeed, at a much higher level than should even be justified. No opposition can match this talent. Sweden was mobbed. The scoreline, impressive but not devastating, actually flattered them. France delivered a performance that only gets better with age, each replay a reminder of its brilliance.
It’s hard to think of a tournament with such clear favorites at this relatively early stage. But France are undeniably formidable and have no obvious weaknesses. Who can compete with them?
