England's Brilliant Second Half Shines, but France Remains World Cup Favorites
Gary Neville praised England for showcasing the best football of the World Cup 2026 so far, particularly during their second-half performance against Croatia. The match, which ended in a 4-2 victory for England in their Group L opener, saw a remarkable turnaround from a chaotic first half. Neville highlighted the fluency and intensity of Thomas Tuchel's side after the break, stating, "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," during an interview with Sky Sports News. He emphasized the importance of not getting carried away, acknowledging that a game is not defined by just a short period. Key points from Neville’s analysis include: England's second-half performance was described as "fantastic" and "brave." He commended Tuchel for his strategic substitutions, particularly after England took a 3-2 lead. The decision to move Jude Bellingham back into central midfield alongside Elliot Anderson was noted as a bold and attacking move. Despite England's strong start, Neville remains steadfast in his belief that France is still the favorite to win the tournament. He stated, "I said France before the tournament that I thought they would win it. I'm not going to change that now." He cautioned that it is too early to declare England as frontrunners, emphasizing, "There's a long way to go." Neville also took a moment to praise Harry Kane and Bellingham for their performances following the victory over Croatia.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-06-18