Bellingham hits back at Tuchel’s ‘lucky’ verdict after England edge past Norway

Jude Bellingham pushed back at Thomas Tuchel after the England manager described his side’s 2-1 extra-time win over Norway as “lucky”, with the Real Madrid midfielder’s double sending the Three Lions into a World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

England came from behind in Miami to reach the last four, but the contest was overshadowed by two contentious VAR incidents and a pointed post-match exchange between manager and star player that hinted at tension within the camp.

Tuchel’s blunt assessment

Speaking to ITV after the final whistle, Tuchel did not hide his frustration despite the result taking his side into the semi-finals. “The result is fantastic, we are in the last four – it’s amazing – but I’m not happy with the performance,” he said.

“In every sense. Again the commitment is there but we made life very, very difficult for ourselves in the way we played, how we played: sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough, not repetitive enough. We were lucky today.”

Bellingham’s response

Bellingham, who scored both of England’s goals including a dramatic extra-time winner after Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland fumbled, was unimpressed when told of his manager’s comments. “Yeah, well, whatever. Whatever,” he said.

“It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players have put in a tough shift, so my thoughts and appreciation goes to the players who were out there and put in a great shift yet again.”

He added a pointed dig at his manager’s understanding of the opposition England had just faced: “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, [Martin] Ødegaard, [Antonio] Nusa, [Alexander] Sørloth. That’s not an easy team to play against.”

Controversy over both goals

The result was not without contention. Bellingham’s first-half equaliser was allowed to stand despite the ball appearing to strike an overhead camera cable during the build-up, with FIFA insisting there was “no evidence” of contact according to the in-ball sensor.

Norway also had a goal chalked off after the break when Torbjørn Heggem’s effort was ruled out by VAR for a push by Haaland on Elliot Anderson, even though the incident occurred before the ball was in play — a decision that reportedly stemmed from a new FIFA directive.

England will now face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, with Lionel Messi’s side having overcome Switzerland in extra time after Breel Embolo was sent off.

Read more: England to face Argentina in World Cup semi-final after Alvarez wondergoal sinks Switzerland

Sources

• dailymail.com
• Daily Record
• Sky Sports

This is an independent report written from the facts across the sources named above.