GARY NEVILLE has named the ONLY World Cup team that may stand in the way of Kylian Mbappe’s France.
Speaking on ITV, the former Three Lions star admitted that Didier Deschamps’ men have proved ruthless in their summer campaign so far.
Gary Neville has named the ONLY team blocking France from becoming world champions Credit: Reuters
France missed out on back-to-back titles after losing in the 2022 final to Argentina Credit: Getty
Les Bleus are on their way back to the final after missing out on the finest of margins to in the 2022 World Cup final.
Mbappe’s hat-trick sent the game to penalties but in the end Lionel Messi completed his fairytale career.
This time around polished off their group, finishing ahead of , and .
They then punished Graham Potter’s in a dominant 3-0 victory in New Jersey to book a spot in the last 16.
They will face underdogs in order to seal a place in the quarter finals.
But Neville has finally named the team that could send them packing.
And it is none other than tournament holders Argentina.
Neville, 51, said: “The only team I can see stopping France right now, because of the mentality, is Argentina.
“Because of the nastiness and the horribleness and their experience.
“That’s the only team I can see that’s got the unity right now that I think could stand in front of France.
“Look, something may emerge. , , , we may see a step up. Let’s hope so.”
Thomas Tuchel’s squad are set to face tonight on the back of two humdrum performances against and .
Meanwhile, Portugal are set to play following Cristiano Ronaldo’s national goal drought ending in an electric display versus debutants .
Spain will meet Ralf Rangnick and in Los Angeles to hopefully meet Portugal in the last 16.
But Neville admitted: “There’s a long way to go but you look at them (France) now thinking, you’ll have let yourselves down if you don’t win this.
“Because they’re so far ahead, at the moment, of where the other teams are in terms of level.”
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Commenting on the collosal attack brought by Mbappe, Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, Neville said: “That four that started the game – they will cause nightmares for every single defender in the tournament.
“I don’t know how they stop that to be fair.
“A level above. won in the last minute. and have gone out. They are showing everyone else in this round how to do it.”
The bookies have hailed France as 2/1 favourites to win the World Cup outright, while Argentina trail slightly on 9/2 odds.
France beat Sweden in the round of 32 to set up a game with Paraguay in the last 16 Credit: Splash
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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