Thomas Tuchel relieved as ‘lucky’ Jude Bellingham avoids red card in laboured England win over Latvia

LONDON – England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted Jude Bellingham was “lucky” to escape a red card as the Three Lions “struggled” to secure a 3-0 win against minnows Latvia on March 24.

Just two days after claiming Bellingham can be “very emotional” and needed to control his mood on the pitch, the Real Madrid star was fortunate not to be sent off in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

After being booked in the first half, Bellingham avoided a second yellow card despite a crude challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis soon after the interval.

England boss Tuchel responded by sending on Phil Foden to replace the 21-year-old midfielder in the 67th minute.

“A bit lucky. We took straightaway the decision to not take the risk and take him off,” said the German tactician.

Leading through Reece James’ superb free kick in the 38th minute, England were struggling to kill off stubborn Latvia when Bellingham was substituted.

His lack of discipline could have hampered Tuchel’s bid for a second successive win to start his reign.

But captain Harry Kane netted a minute after Bellingham’s departure, before substitute Eberechi Eze made it 3-0 in the 76th minute.

Facing an unheralded Latvia team 136 places below them in Fifa’s world rankings, Tuchel acknowledged England were far from convincing again after a lacklustre 2-0 win against Albania in his debut on March 21.

“It was not an easy match. We saw a lot of good things, created good chances. We needed a free kick to unlock it. I’m happy with the attitude, energy and desire. We will get there,” Tuchel said.

“The second half we started to slow the game down and made little movement, which makes no sense. But the second goal was better as we showed acceleration from one of our sixes.”

Kane added: “I think there were more patterns of play, more chances than Friday (against Albania). But again it was tough, playing against 11 behind the ball. Overall we can be pleased with two wins and two clean sheets.”

Favourites England, who are next in action against Andorra in June, top Group K of Europe’s qualifiers on six points. Albania, who beat Andorra 3-0 in the other fixture, and Latvia are on three.

Only the group winners qualify automatically for the 2026 Finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Tuchel made four changes to his side for the visit of 140th-ranked Latvia, including his former Chelsea right-back James replacing Kyle Walker.

The German cut a frustrated figure at times in a first half in which England dominated, had 17 goal attempts but countless wayward crosses and lacked sparkle.

A sure sign of a bored Wembley crowd is for paper aeroplanes to start descending from the stands and a few had already made it onto the pitch when James finally broke through, curling a right-footed free kick inside the post that gave Latvia goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris no chance.

“It has been a long time. I have had a frustrating two years,” said James, who was making his first England start in two seasons after being hampered by injuries.

“I’m so happy to be called up by my country again. I saw the wall and felt I could bend it round. I was a bit surprised it hit the net.”

The 25-year-old had starred under Tuchel during the Blues’ Champions League-winning campaign in 2021, and the German said his quality is still there.

“He is in excellent shape. He looks sharp and the quality there can be no doubt,” said Tuchel. “If you play a dominant match like today, he can be a hybrid midfielder to help create an overload. His quality is at the highest level.”

Latvia, facing England for the first time, did have the game’s first big chance though as defender Marc Guehi, another of Tuchel’s changes, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a hash of dealing with a long ball, but Vladislavs Gutkovskis hit the side netting when faced with an empty goal.

England continued to huff and puff in the second half – making a total of 41 attempted crosses across the 90 minutes – as Latvia remained disciplined in defence.

However, Kane effectively settled the contest when Declan Rice played the ball across the area for the skipper to tuck in his record-extending 71st England goal.

Eze, who replaced the disappointing Jarrod Bowen, enlivened the latter stages with some tricky runs down the left and was rewarded with a deflected goal.

Tuchel now has a frustrating wait until June for his next England camp, but he will head off having made a favourable impression with his players.

“He is a pleasure to work for. He has brought the passion,” said Kane, who had also worked with Tuchel at Bayern Munich. AFP, REUTERS