Neville marvels at Lionesses achieving something he never could with England

17 August 2023 , 11:35

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Neville has been talking about the Lionesses on BBC Breakfast

Gary Neville has backed the Lionesses to win the Women's World Cup Final - admitting he wishes England had been emulate the same stellar form during his own playing career.

Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo helped Sarina Wiegman's side see off tournament co-hosts Australia on Wednesday to book their place in the last two. It is just the second time a senior England team has made it to a World Cup Final and the first time the Lionesses will compete in the showpiece fixture.

England's path to the Final has been littered with setbacks, from an injury to star midfielder Keira Walsh to Lauren James' two-match suspension, however the Lionesses have ridden every storm to set up a showdown with Spain at Stadium Australia on Sunday. And Neville, who won 85 caps for England between 1995 and 2007, believes Wiegman's side will take home the trophy this weekend.

"We will win because they do win finals and do things we have never done in this country, not just in one tournament but they do it again and again," he told BBC Breakfast. "They are so consistent and reliable. I was watching the semi-final thinking 'wow, I wish we had this when I was playing', that quality, spirit and energy.

Confirming he will be watching from his hotel in London, Neville added: "This is not what England teams do, win the Euros and get to the World Cup final, but the women do! They are showing us all how to do it.

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"I played for and coached England at eight tournaments and never got past the semi-final so what they are doing is incredible. They are making their mark on everyone in this country and they have done for the last few years."

The Lionesses will be hoping they can win a second successive major tournament on Sunday, following on from their triumph at last summer's Euros. And Neville thinks the unity in Wiegman's squad is what will get them over the line.

"This is a team that is unified, together, with high quality and talent but their spirit and resilience is brilliant," the Sky Sports pundit said. "I still marvel at that Euros final and they were keeping the ball from Germany, doing things that we couldn't do. We tried to do those things in major tournaments and beat these teams, they just do it.

"When Australia came back you thought it might be difficult but they always come back and they always respond. If you look at that team and how they respond to challenges, they are an absolute beacon of light in terms of what a role model should be."

Beth Lindop