Joe Gomez has revealed what his teammate Dominic Solanke told him before he came up against Neymar earlier this month.
After impressing for Liverpool, the former Charlton youngster was brought into Gareth Southgate's squad and came on against Germany after Phil Jones was forced off with injury.
He then made his first start against Brazil four days later, putting in a Man of the Match display and nullifying Neymar, who has been in irresistible form.
Images: PA
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Going into the game, Gomez was very much aware that there was a good chance he was going to get mugged off by Neymar - with Solanke, who came on as a substitute later on in the game, reminding him in the build-up to the game and though he was "bantering", it ensured he was on his toes at all times.
Image: PA
Sharing the story with The Times, he said:
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There was some banter before Brazil. "Dom [Solanke] was bantering with me in the build-up, 'Ah Joe's going to get 'megged by Neymar. Don't get megged!'
"Obviously in my head I am bantering back, but I was thinking, 'This could be possible.'
"But that sort of helped me because I was wary going into the game, saying to myself, 'Be defensive, be on your toes'."
Thanks to a colossal performance at the heart of the backline, Gomez deservedly picked up the Man of the Match award.
Image: PA
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But things didn't quite to to plan, the 20-year old dropped the bottle of champagne he received as a prize.
"At Wembley there is a room where all the families are and as I was going through the door, it was kind of tight," he explained.
"I went to go sideways and the bottle started slipping. I tried to catch it but it smashed on the floor."
Gomez is to get a replacement bottle of bubbly for his efforts, and he'll be hoping to earn a place in Gareth Southgate's travelling party for the World Cup next summer.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Neymar, England, Joe Gomez, Brazil