Phil Neville gets reality check as England women fall narrowly to USA in SheBelieves Cup

A Karen Bardsley own goal was the only thing to separate the sides in Orlando

Karen Bardsley's own goal was the difference between the sides (Getty)

Phil Neville held his hands up. The United States were always going to be the acid test for England and so it proved.

Impressive displays against France and Germany over the last week must not be discounted, yet when it came to the ‘critical moments’ that the 41 year-old urged his charges to make the most of during the build-up to this final game in a hugely encouraging SheBelieves Cup campaign, the Lionesses fell just short.

A draw would have been enough for Neville to have earned some instant silverware. The reigning world champions, however, were more decisive, there was more belief in their play.

The likes of Megan Rapinoe and the fast as lightning Mallory Pugh had the kind of spark which was lacking for Neville’s team.

The winner came thanks to an unfortunate deflection off the otherwise excellent ‘keeper Karen Bardsley in the 58th minute though, no-one at the Orlando City Stadium would have begrudged the hosts winning this tournament for the second time.

“It was tough, but probably the most enjoyable game for me in the tournament because we came up against a really good team,” admitted Neville. “I think this shows how far we still have to go until we can call ourselves the best team in the world.

“We’ve got to be realistic. I was really pleased with the last 30 minutes because when they scored they were threatening to run riot, but it was though all the fear left us and we might have snatched an equaliser late on. But I don’t think that would have been a fair result, I think this was a bit of a reality check for us.

Phil Neville knows England must improve if they want to win the World Cup (Getty)

“We were up against a good team and I put in some young players in some key positions to see how they would react and they have come through it. In the end, I’ve told them remember this feeling of losing, of watching them lift the trophy and, more importantly, learn from it.

“We were up against the best team in the world and we have lost 1-0, to an own goal. We were a little bit behind but them but I firmly believe there is enough quality and a desire for us to get there.”

Neville spoke in the build-up about how his players should set their sights high if they harbour desires of winning next summer’s World Cup.

“We used to have a saying at Manchester United – do you want to go to Blackpool on your holidays or the moon?” recalled the England manager. “Fergie always wanted players who went to the moon not Blackpool because anyone can go to Blackpool but not everyone can go to the moon.”

Rachel Daly had a decent game for England (Getty)

There has undoubtedly been a serious upturn in confidence running through the squad and, on the evidence of these three games, the chances of competing strongly at next summer’s World Cup in France remain high. England have impressed and their new manager’s impact has been immediate.

The tumultuous departure of Mark Sampson threatened to tear the squad apart and ruin the tremendous progress achieved with two semi-final appearances in the last two World Cup and European Championship campaigns.

Neville has commanded instant respect which was vital in the circumstances while the switch to playing an attacking brand of football has paid instant dividends.

In the opening stages last night, however, England saw little of the ball as the US, who are effectively still in pre-season with their domestic league not starting for another two weeks, enjoyed long periods of possession.

USA retained the trophy in Orlando (Getty)

The hosts created the more clear-cut opportunities while keeper Alyssa Naeher was rarely troubled by an England attack which unfortunately lost its bite on the big occasion.

The US were far more threatening in possession and when Bardsley unluckily diverted in a Rapinoe cross which was initially deflected by the excellent Abbie McManus and then Millie Bright whose attempted clearance hit the keeper and rolled over the line, it was no more than they deserved.

So, not for the first time, an England side buckled when the pressure was really on. There is , however, serious cause for optimism.

Senior players such as captain Steph Houghton will hope to return from injury for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers while the youngsters blooded on this tour will be much better off for the experience.

“The last step of climbing Mount Everest is always the hardest and that’s where we are now,” conceded the former Manchester United midfielder. “Winning things is always the final leap and the hardest to take, it’s where you can lose people along the way. We’re getting there and that’s what I’ve been brought in to do, to bridge that gap from third best team in the world to first.

“We stayed in the game when we were under the cosh, when we looked a little bit ragged. We didn’t pass the ball well enough through the lines, this is the standard for us now. What I’ve learnt from this tournament, though, is that we have nothing to fear.”