England coach Gary Neville has stated that he was encouraged by the Three Lions' display against Italy on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson's side were beaten 2-1 in Manaus, but the former Manchester United defender has declared that some positives can be taken from the loss.

He told BBC Sport: "Two years ago [against Italy at Euro 2012], we were on the ropes with our gloves up, defending for 12 rounds but losing on points. The other night, we won a few rounds. It doesn't win you the football match, but, in terms of the bigger picture, we see where we're going.

"Some of the football was the best I've seen from England in 10 or 15 years in a World Cup or European Championship match.

"As we came off the pitch, we weren't thinking anything other than the team played pretty well, but we got the fine lines wrong."

England play Uruguay on Thursday in their second group game.

Written by
Paul Gorst