Coach Thomas Tuchel says ‘lucky’ England must improve despite reaching World Cup semi-finals

MIAMI – England manager Thomas Tuchel said his team were “lucky” to squeeze past Norway 2-1 after extra time to reach the World Cup semi-finals, but praised “world-class” Jude Bellingham after his two goals dragged the Three Lions to victory.

The furious German was in little mood to celebrate despite England reaching the last four for just the fourth time in history after Bellingham’s double overturned Andreas Schjelderup’s opener at Hard Rock Stadium.

“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today,” Tuchel, 52, said in an animated on-field interview moments after his team’s win.

“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 was less than impressed with his manager’s reaction.

“Whatever. Whatever,” said the Real Madrid midfielder after a gruelling 120 minutes in the searing Miami 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.”

In a separate interview, the 23-year-old added: “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, (Martin) Odegaard, (Antonio) Nusa, (Alexander) Sorloth. That’s not an easy team to play against.

“So, I think we’ve tried to create a positive environment. You’re not going to win every game, popping the ball and making a thousand passes. Sometimes you have to win dirty.”

Captain Harry Kane took a more conciliatory approach, saying: “He just said in the changing room, massive congratulations and we should enjoy it and celebrate but it still feels like there’s a part of him that knows we can do better, which in a way is a good thing.”

Tuchel later stood by his comments and insisted that there was “no disconnect” with his players, adding: “I’m impressed with the shift they put in and to overcome adversity. They cannot get enough praise for that. But I’m also a football coach and we can play better...

“The analysing head of me still thinks we have to play better. It’s not a problem, but no disconnect for me and my team. Not 1 per cent.”

England will now face Argentina, who beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time, in Atlanta on July 15 as they attempt to reach the World Cup final for the first time in 60 years. With Spain playing France in the other semi-final, this is the first time the top four teams in the FIFA rankings have reached the last four of a World Cup.

England were fortunate in two major refereeing decisions.

Bellingham’s first goal was allowed to stand despite Norwegian protests that the ball had struck the TV camera cable suspended above the pitch in the build-up.

FIFA said there was “no evidence” to support the claims as a chip sensor embedded in the ball – the same technology used to disallow a goal in Croatia’s knockout defeat by Portugal in the last 32 – showed there was no sign of the ball hitting the cable.

Norway also had a second goal disallowed in the second half after a video assistant referee review for a foul by Haaland before a corner had been taken.

“We were lucky. I stand with that,” added Tuchel.

“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 full of praise for Bellingham, who again rose to the occasion to be a national hero.

After scoring twice in England’s memorable 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the last 16, Bellingham moved alongside Kane on six goals in six games at this World Cup with his two goals in Miami.

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