Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes England midfielders Mason Mount and Declan Rice are helped by their strong personal relationship.
The pair, who are lifelong friends, starred during Wednesday's 4-0 victory over Iceland in England 's final Nations League group stage match, with Rice heading home the opener after 20 minutes before Mount added another four minutes later.
They have enjoyed a close bond since the age of eight when both players were at Chelsea 's academy.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, Carragher highlighted the pair's relationship and expressed his belief that to progress in the same way and end up scoring for England alongside one another is 'an unbelievable thing'.
"I always say when I played and you grow up with mates and players, you don't know each other's journey, where you're going to go, [and] some are luckier than others," he said.
"But to actually come through and share things with your mates, really now is a little bit different [with] big rivalry at club level.
"To actually play together for England and go through things at the same time because it is an unbelievable thing that they're doing. They're still very young lads playing for their country."
Former England Women star Alex Scott also spoke about the pair's close bond while praising the impact of Mount on Gareth Southgate 's side since the Chelsea midfielder became a regular starter earlier this year.
"[He's] growing and growing with confidence every time he's in an England shirt," she added.
"I really was impressed with the left hand side of England today when we're talking about Saka, Mount, Grealish. I think they all linked up really well and exploited Iceland down the left side.
"It's just knowing each other and making runs off each other and the willingness that, okay, I've not got that first pass but I need to make my next move.
"It's always Mount constantly being on the move trying to make something happen."
