Gary Neville says France are "a level above" any other team at the World Cup after they cruised to a 3-0 win against Sweden in the round of 32.
Les Bleus captain Kylian Mbappe scored twice in New York New Jersey - with the Sky Sports pundit adding the forward was "on the verge of greatness" as he went level with Lionel Messi in the tournament's Golden Boot race.
Mbappe and Michael Olise were scintillating throughout, giving Graham Potter's side little hope of pulling off a shock. France's win means they set up a tie with the Germany-beating Paraguay in the last 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia - but Neville sees few beating Didier Deschamps' team.
He said on ITV Sport: "It's a real statement. We know they're the favourites for the tournament, but what we saw was precision, devastation.
"I always look at games from a defensive perspective - those four [attacking players: Mbappe, Olise, Dembele and Barcola] that started the game will cause nightmares for every single defender at this tournament and I don't know how you stop that.
"It's a level above. Brazil won in the last minute, Germany and the Netherlands went out. They're just showing everybody in this round how to do it.
"Everything they do is emphatic. It's brilliant to watch and it's the best performance so far in the tournament.
"There's a long way to go, but you're looking at them now thinking 'you'll let yourselves down if you don't win this' because they're so far ahead of every other team in terms of level."
Mbappe scored in either half, sandwiched between a Bradley Barcola goal. Neville was effusive of his praise for the France skipper at half-time - even before he turned home another beauty.
"Watching Mbappe in that first half, he reminds me of the Brazilian Ronaldo. It's utterly petrifying," he added. "The little shimmy. It's devastating.
"Patrick [Vieira] said the other day this is the Mbappe World Cup and I completely agree. He's just a level above. He's on the verge of greatness."
pehelnopu
1
real Madrid sign michael olise please
Singapore1183229
0
Oliseh an inch away from being a perfect player
Very hard running and full of energy player Olse and soon he will over worked and potential ACL candidate.
Singapore1183229
0
So far no team France played had good defenders. France so far not tested by teams yet.
ammergk
2
Good job best player
Real_Madrid●☆
0
fauabeilny
0
s
sugdusu us
fauabeilny
0
hih hfyf, uz
AbustuzMukanda
0
Strong Paraguay is waiting in terraces, let's see hw they'll perform. What's impressive from this France team is the attacking trio of Olise, Dembele & Mbappe the Chef.
mewabdlnou
1
Why do you praise a team so much because they beat Sweden? Wait until all the boys are separated from the men.
nodakloryz
0
If Argentina were the team that played those Swedish 'ladies', the final result would have been 7:0 in favour of the Argies with another hatrick from Leo Messi
People with a better midfielders will play them Ball,the supply to those wingers has to be cut
Mwewaman
6
France is really good no doubt that especially their frontline. But that's way too much to say by Gary. Plus it's only Sweden, who lost 5-1 to Netherlands in the groups. Sweden shouldn't even have come to the WC if you look at their struggle during the qualifying for the WC stages. If France meet maybe Brazil, Spain or even Portugal, any team that can actually put up a fight then we can judge properly. The worrying thing is most teams seem to be struggling, not convincing. So far only France themselves, Morocco, Colombia and a bit of my beloved Argentina (who hasn't really played a tricky opponent) seem to be strong. For me Argentina with Messi will always be #1, this France a close #2 bcos of that terrifying front of Dembele,Mbappe and Olise.
bohacdins
3
All this Neville are snitch is now always about Brazilian Ronald Not CR7 no more
ciycdlnpuy
0
Oliseh an inch away from being a perfect player
huuadinotz
0
When you play a south American Team, then we will see
Tucalmprtz
4
France are the favorites for the world cup and maybe bad luck can stop them being champions.
teucdlmors
1
they are trying but nothing special yet
moheksz
5
France is the most complete team in this Worldcup
Heebeirtu
5
is too early, the other day English team beat Croatia, he said the same thing about england. I don't trust his words at all. he easily get carry away over one match. assuming, it's Spain, Argentina, Brazil or Portugal then I will have rates them but with swedish " I doubt.
Zomabdksuz
3
3 levels above 👆
Zoyadklmr
1
A South America team is waiting for them let's see what will happen
Emmion14
0
If Argentina were the team that played those Swedish 'ladies', the final result would have been 7:0 in favour of the Argies with another hatrick from Leo Messi
France has better squad than Argentina
CHBOY
4
I personally feel that right now, the best players are french players it has shifted from the Spanish team to France. so therefore get french players to your club teams they are the best players now. strong, speed skillful and good goal scorers
Zezesol400
0
No way. Argentina is going nowhere!
U talking as who?!
Zezesol400
0
If France were the team to play with this “under 17th “, Cape Verde, Mbappe would score ten goals in that match alone
What happened while playing Norway second team?!
lipekmnrty
1
gary Neville France path are always easy than any other teams in the world as usual they always want to give South American teams the hardest path to glory France get opponent they beat day to day what are u saying just like England path to world cup notice when France face South American teams is a different ball game Brazil is still 5 times champion your points
Have you seen the path of Argentina in this world cup?
Mucbelprtz
1
If Argentina were the team that played those Swedish 'ladies', the final result would have been 7:0 in favour of the Argies with another hatrick from Leo Messi
No way. Argentina is going nowhere!
Redevil07
1
gary Neville France path are always easy than any other teams in the world as usual they always want to give South American teams the hardest path to glory France get opponent they beat day to day what are u saying just like England path to world cup notice when France face South American teams is a different ball game Brazil is still 5 times champion your points
You doesn't know football then. It is tournament which is tailored made for Argentina.
Ceydklruy
1
If Argentina were the team that played those Swedish 'ladies', the final result would have been 7:0 in favour of the Argies with another hatrick from Leo Messi
If France were the team to play with this “under 17th “, Cape Verde, Mbappe would score ten goals in that match alone
Ducabdlmpu
1
gary Neville France path are always easy than any other teams in the world as usual they always want to give South American teams the hardest path to glory France get opponent they beat day to day what are u saying just like England path to world cup notice when France face South American teams is a different ball game Brazil is still 5 times champion your points
are you serious check argentina path to the finals with teams like mexico usa colombia is there toughest opponent till they reach semi france had germany netherlands morroco croatia over on their side and you say they have it easy in 2018 they had tp play belguim croatia so what are you saying
ziwbdilmny
2
gary Neville France path are always easy than any other teams in the world as usual they always want to give South American teams the hardest path to glory France get opponent they beat day to day what are u saying just like England path to world cup notice when France face South American teams is a different ball game Brazil is still 5 times champion your points
Lipdekrz
2
you are a stupid idiot God will punish you for saying that
Lipdekrz
0
jealousy talk you will learn stupid fool
fuckoffidiot
0
If Argentina were the team that played those Swedish 'ladies', the final result would have been 7:0 in favour of the Argies with another hatrick from Leo Messi
Possibly. Though the current Argentina seems less agressive than the 2022, but seems to concede less. Hopefully they will increase their pressing in the upcoming game(s).
Pindepsz
10
If Argentina were the team that played those Swedish 'ladies', the final result would have been 7:0 in favour of the Argies with another hatrick from Leo Messi
Reuacderuz
1
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