It was a really neck and neck match that took my breath away every second.

neck 的本义是"脖子"，在比赛中常用来比喻"位置相近"。 and 是连接词，表示"和"。 neck and neck 是固定短语，字面意思是"脖子挨着脖子"，引申为"并驾齐驱、势均力敌"，形容比赛双方实力非常接近。