Tuchel brands England lucky after Bellingham brace books World Cup semi-final berth

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — England manager Thomas Tuchel conceded his side were “lucky” to advance past Norway 2-1 after extra time into the World Cup semi-finals, while hailing a “world-class” display from Jude Bellingham, whose brace secured the Three Lions’ place in the last four.

Despite England reaching the semi-finals only for the fourth time, Tuchel showed little appetite for celebration after Bellingham’s two strikes overturned Andreas Schjelderup’s opener. Speaking on the pitch shortly after the final whistle, an agitated Tuchel said: “We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today. The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but I’m not happy with the performance. The commitment is there, but it made life very, very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played — sloppy, lots of safety, not fast enough, not enough. We were lucky today.”

Bellingham pushed back at his manager’s tone. “Whatever. Whatever,” he said following 120 minutes in Miami’s intense heat. “It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players are putting in a tough shift so my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there.”

England next meet Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, chasing a first World Cup final appearance in 60 years. At his post-match press conference, Tuchel stressed he never questioned the squad’s work rate, but insisted standards must rise if they are to go further.

“I’m impressed with the shift that they put in, the effort, the belief — and to overcome adversity, and to dig in and find ways to win is on the absolutely highest level,” he said. “Full credit to the team, we found a way in the last four — this is, of course, the most important — but the analysing head of me and the football coach still thinks that we can and have played better football.”

Two significant refereeing calls went England’s way. Bellingham’s opener stood despite Norwegian claims that the ball hit a television camera hanging over the pitch in the build-up. Norway also saw a second-half goal ruled out after a VAR check for a foul by Erling Haaland before a corner was delivered.

“We were lucky. I stand with that,” Tuchel said. “No one ever denies that you need luck to go far in tournament football. You need moments where you’re lucky, otherwise it’s just not possible. I see no harm in admitting it. It’s just the way I felt.”

He was far warmer about Bellingham, who again delivered when it mattered. After netting twice in England’s 3-2 last-16 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, the midfielder’s Miami double left him level with Harry Kane on six goals from six matches at this World Cup.

“World-class performance from a world-class player,” Tuchel said. “In big, big moments, crucial moments, he was absolutely top-class.”