And to lift World Cup

to play forward. It just gives you the confidence to try things you wouldn’t try normally, whether it’s a flick around the corner or a one-two in a tight area. Game plans before have been very direct, but he says he’d be more disappointed with you if you don’t try than if you give the ball away, and I think that’s what everyone likes about Phil.

“As long as we can keep building the chemistry between players and [work on] knowing where each other is going to be, it’s going to be an exciting World Cup for us.”

Kirby’s performance was also notable for her burgeoning partnership with Parris, and Brazil’s left-back Camila endured a tortuous afternoon in the face of the pair’s relentless pressing.

Neville will consider making changes for England’s second friendly, against Australia, tomorrow but Parris, who made her senior tournament debut at last year’s European Championship, has seen her game develop under Neville’s tutelage.

“He’s got a different mentality to many other England managers that we have had, because he comes from the men’s game and he knows the small margins that it takes to win,” Parris said. “He tells me to be brave on the ball. When you have that freedom, you create chances and goals.”

Neville added: “We’re emphasising speed. [We want to] play side to side and play through the lines. I want to get to the stage where we are playing total football. Today, I didn’t think we played total football through the thirds, but I thought we showed we can play from the back into midfield, and penetrate through the wide players. Rome wasn’t built in a day. We just have to keep redefining it.”

England Subs not used Booked Brazil Subs not used Referee