Phil Neville labelled Lucy Bronze as “the best player in the world” after inspiring England past Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Lionesses coasted to a 3-0 victory in Le Havre, with Bronze assisting Jill Scott after just three minutes and then adding a third after Ellen White struck, slamming home from the edge of the area.
And Neville was struck by the quality of the Lyon star’s performance, heralding her as the world’s best ahead of the World Cup semi-finals.
“I think what you’re seeing tonight, Lucy Bronze is the best player in the world,” Neville claimed. “There’s no player like here, with that athleticism and quality. I played full-back but never to that level.”
Neville also praised his side’s quality, but was not surprised by the ease of the victory.
1/12 Norway 0-3 England – player ratings from World Cup quarter-final
PA
2/12 Karen Bardsley: 6
AP
3/12 Lucy Bronze: 9
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4/12 Steph Houghton: 8
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5/12 Millie Bright: 4
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6/12 Demi Stokes: 7
EPA
7/12 Jill Scott: 7
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8/12 Fran Kirby: 6
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9/12 Keira Walsh: 5
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10/12 Toni Duggan: 5
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11/12 Nikita Parris: 8
REUTERS
12/12 Ellen White: 8
PA
1/12 Norway 0-3 England – player ratings from World Cup quarter-final
PA
2/12 Karen Bardsley: 6
AP
3/12 Lucy Bronze: 9
Getty Images
4/12 Steph Houghton: 8
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5/12 Millie Bright: 4
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6/12 Demi Stokes: 7
EPA
7/12 Jill Scott: 7
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8/12 Fran Kirby: 6
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9/12 Keira Walsh: 5
PA
10/12 Toni Duggan: 5
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11/12 Nikita Parris: 8
REUTERS
12/12 Ellen White: 8
PA
“We expected nothing else,” he added. “That’s not being arrogant, that’s the level of performances we’ve been showing. We’ve been having the time of our lives.
Look at the spirit of the team, I thought it should have been four or five. We’re just where we want to be.”
Bronze herself was pleased with her performance as well as that of the team around her.
“It was a comfortable game. They had some good chances but defensively we were so solid that was the difference between the two teams. We were clinical and found the gaps in their defence but our defence stayed strong throughout.
“I’ve been dreaming of Lyon and playing in the semi-final again and I’ve had to wait four years and all that pressure and passion came out in that strike.”
