Gary Neville believes there is only one nation that are capable of stopping France at the 2026 World Cup, following Les Bleus’ ruthless 3-0 demolition of Sweden in the last 32.

Kylian Mbappe struck twice to take his tournament tally to six goals, with Bradley Barcola adding a third as Didier Deschamps’ side continued their imperious form in New Jersey.

France have now beaten Senegal, Iraq and Norway before dispatching Sweden with ease, and Neville only sees the 2022 finalists as the team to beat, but their kryptonite is tipped to come back and haunt them.

Neville Tips Argentina as the Only Side with the Mentality to Stop France

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Speaking on ITV, Neville singled out Argentina’s experience and resilience as the key factors that could see them stand in France’s way, with the two sides potentially on a collision course later in the tournament.

The former Manchester United defender did leave the door open for other nations to emerge as contenders, though admitted he’s yet to see enough: “Look, something may emerge. England, Spain, Portugal, we may see a step up. Let’s hope so,” he added. “There’s a long way to go but you look at them 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.”

Ian Wright Says Rivals Will Fear France More Than Each Other

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Neville also praised France’s front four of Mbappe, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, warning defenders across the tournament will have nightmares trying to contain them.

Ian Wright echoed those sentiments, suggesting France’s upcoming opponents will be more concerned about facing Les Bleus than what they’d be over facing anyone else.

“France in this form. They’ll be more worried about playing against France than they’d be worried about playing Spain or Portugal,” the Arsenal legend said. “It’s only if France have a total capitulation, which I can’t see, for them to [not] go on to win it. I can’t see what’s stopping them at the minute.”

France now turn their attention to Paraguay, who stunned Germany in the previous round on penalties, with the winner set to face Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £50m deal to sell Luka Vuskovic to Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Spurs have had a very busy transfer window so far, completing deals for Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Martin Dubravka, while a move for Mateus Fernandes is on the verge of being completed for a club-record fee of £85m.

But the club are now working on outgoings alongside those incoming deals, and a deal with Brighton for young defender Vuskovic has now been finalised by all parties,

Tottenham and Brighton Agree Vuskovic Deal

Vuskovic, who has been described as ‘exceptional’, enjoyed a sensational season on loan at Hamburg in the 2025/26 season and had initially been expected to return to north London to compete for a starting place.

But the defender asked to leave to further his development elsewhere with more regular playing time, and after having a number of bids rejected, Brighton have now agreed to pay £46m plus £4m in bonuses to get a deal done for the Croatia international.

Spurs have agreed a deal that will see them continue to hold a 20% sell-on clause over his future, while they will also have matching rights if he moves on, allowing them to retain control over his future somewhat.

Romano adds that Tottenham are now ready to go ‘all in’ for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali with the new incoming funds, which could see the Italian join in a deal that would exceed the fee that is to be paid for Fernandes to West Ham, meaning the club would be breaking their transfer record twice in one window.

Vuskovic Deal Could Be Shrewd Business

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While Vuskovic is considered to be one of the top young defenders in world football, Spurs need players for right now.

The club have Micky Van de Ven in their back line already alongside Kevin Danso, while Van Hecke and Senesi’s arrival means there is plenty of depth and competition. It’s also worth noting that as of this writing, Cristian Romero is still at the club.

That would likely make Vuskovic sixth-choice, and he’s of no use to anyone there. Selling him for a big fee, and retaining some control of his future, is excellent business, and Spurs can now focus on strengthening the squad even further as a result to get back to being competitive.

Thomas Tuchel has plenty of decisions to make after England avoided a giant-killing to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup against Mexico.

A Harry Kane brace saw the Three Lions come from behind to beat a tough DR Congo side who led for 75 minutes. While Tuchel’s men dug deep to turn the game around, their German coach won’t have liked the overall performance.

Several players disappointed and might be at risk of the chop ahead of a massive showdown with Mexico on Monday. Here is how Tuchel must set his side up for a dreaded trip to the Azteca.

Goalkeeper and Defence

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England started slowly against the Congolese and were made to pay after Brian Cipenga gave the Africans an early shock. That largely came due to poor defending, and Jordan Pickford was easily beaten at his near post.

Pickford will undoubtedly remain Tuchel’s number one for the Mexico game, but the unconvincing Djed Spence cannot continue at right-back. Most of DR Congo’s threat came through Cipenga, who constantly gave Spence problems.

Once Tuchel decided to bring Spence off for Eberechi Eze and move Declan Rice into a makeshift right-back role, the Three Lions improved. In fact, that tactical switch led to both of Kane’s goals, with each move starting out on the right.

A lack of right-back options is a real issue for Tuchel and the solution may well be to start Rice in the position at the Azteca. His versatility allows him to still control games in a similar fashion to how Philipp Lahm did at right-back throughout his career with Germany.

Ezri Konsa looked nervy, and perhaps turning to John Stones for experience is the way forward. The Manchester City centre-back should partner Marc Guehi, while Nico O’Reilly deserves to keep his place at left-back.

Bringing Rice into the back four also gives the backline a leader who can ensure his teammates stay focused against a tricky Mexican attack. It’s a risky move but one that could pay off given the massive headache Tuchel has.

Midfield

Moving Rice means a slot opens up in midfield and that should go to Kobbie Mainoo, who earned a starting role during the knockout stages of Euro 2024. We were so open in midfield, and the Manchester United midfielder has the technical ability to help Elliot Anderson dominate proceedings in the middle of the park.

Jude Bellingham has silenced his critics and been one of England’s standout performers. The Real Madrid man will keep his place in the number 10 role where he is thriving.

While Tuchel could opt to use Bellingham as an eight and start Morgan Rogers in the 10, the Aston Villa man didn’t impress in the 2-0 win over Panama. Mainoo’s profile will suit the type of game expected against co-hosts Mexico, and he’s fresh having been given little game time.

Attack

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Kane is undroppable, and if Tuchel’s men are going to win the tournament, he’ll be the one to fire them to glory. The main issue has been out on the wing with the manager constantly chopping and changing.

Noni Madueke endured a frustrating outing against DR Congo, and Bukayo Saka needs to start if he is fit enough. Another dilemma is on the left wing, as Marcus Rashford has performed better as an impact sub, but Anthony Gordon stepped up after coming off the bench in the win over DR Congo, providing both assists for Kane.

The England XI Tuchel Must Pick vs Mexico: Pickford; Rice, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Mainoo, Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Gordon