Gary Neville is mocked for pre-Euro 2024 Spain prediction - after the pundit claimed one player would stop finalists from 'going all the way'
- Neville had suggested that Spain would struggle to get far in the competition
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Gary Neville has been mocked for his pre-tournament prediction for how he thought Spain would get on at Euro 2024.
Luis de la Fuente's side booked their place in Sunday's final on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win over France and will go into the game as heavy favourites, whether it's England or the Netherlands they will take on.
Having trailed through Randal Kolo Muani's early header, Lamine Yamal again showed the world his talent as he scored a fine curling effort from distance, with Dani Olmo's goal minutes later enough to win it.
They have now beaten both Germany and France on their way to the final, perhaps exceeding the expectations of many who thought they could struggle during the tournament.
One of those people was Gary Neville, who picked out one player in particular as a reason why they wouldn't go all the way - that player being defender Marc Cucurella.
![Gary Neville has been mocked for his pre-Euro 2024 Spain prediction after they reached final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/16/87165297-13620653-image-m-27_1720625936391.jpg)
Gary Neville has been mocked for his pre-Euro 2024 Spain prediction after they reached final
![Neville had suggested that one player's inclusion in the team would hamper their progress](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/16/87165613-13620653-image-m-36_1720626509198.jpg)
Neville had suggested that one player's inclusion in the team would hamper their progress
![That player was Marc Cucurella, and fans have hit back after he helped Spain to the final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/16/87165241-13620653-image-a-20_1720625851656.jpg)
That player was Marc Cucurella, and fans have hit back after he helped Spain to the final
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Speaking on ITV Sport at the start of the tournament, Neville said: 'He's not been convincing at Chelsea. He's played a few games towards the end of the season.
'He's aggressive, he's tenacious, he's a busy little full back. The price tag still astounds everyone to this day.
'The Spanish defence, it's got a lot of experience now but there's something just missing from Spain that makes you feel like they're going to go all the way. I have to say that him being at left back is a good example of why we think that.'
Cucurella has started all-but-one games for his country in Germany, impressing on the left of a defence that has conceded just three goals in six matches so far.
Viewers and fans took to social media to knock the pundit, who appears to have got his prediction horribly wrong.
One page, a Chelsea fan page titled: 'The Chelsea Forum,' quoted Neville and included a picture of Cucurella laughing in response.
Another wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'Cucurella responded by dropping masterclass after masterclass and was crucial also in today’s semi final v France.'
A third wrote: 'Marc Cucurella has now reached more major intl finals (1) than Gary Neville did (0).'
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/16/87165249-13620653-image-a-23_1720625906279.jpg)
![One fan pointed out how Cucurella has defied Neville's words, with another referencing the pundit's playing career](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/16/87165259-13620653-image-a-24_1720625908903.jpg)
One fan pointed out how Cucurella has defied Neville's words, with another referencing the pundit's playing career
![Cucurella has started all but one games for Spain in their run so far out in Germany](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/16/87165293-13620653-image-a-25_1720625927518.jpg)
Cucurella has started all but one games for Spain in their run so far out in Germany
Cucurella has had a hit-and-miss time with Chelsea after joining from Brighton for £62million two years ago, with the club in a period of transition under their fourth permanent manager since they were taken over that summer.
He has made a total of 50 appearances for the Blues, who have finished 12th and sixth in his two years at the club.
Competing with Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill for the left back spot, he has on occasion found himself out the team, but may now be first choice following his performances for his county this summer.