Thomas Tuchel unhappy with England’s display in World Cup quarter-final win over Norway – but Jude Bellingham hits back: “Whatever” | Football news

Thomas Tuchel has admitted he was unhappy with England’s performance in their World Cup quarter-final win over Norway – admitting the Three Lions were “sloppy, lucky” and not good “in every sense”.

However, England international Jude Bellingham appeared to have a bit of a needle about Tuchel’s comments when they were put to him, replying: “Yeah, well. Whatever.”

England put the nation back on top with their extra-time victory. After falling behind, Bellingham’s double put the Three Lions in the World Cup semi-finals for the third time since 1966 – but there was more to it than that.

Norway dominated in the second half, seeing the second goal denied by a mistake by Erling Haaland and hit the bar by Kristffer Ajer. Tuchel was left far from impressed.

“We made life very difficult for us today,” he said ITV Sport. “The result is very good, we are in the last four. It’s amazing. I’m not happy to play.

“In every sense. The commitment is there but we made life very difficult for us with the way we played, the way we played. Sloppy mistakes, tricks, not being quick enough. Not repeating enough. We were lucky.

“We will get better, we need to get better. Now it’s the festivities. Now it takes everything. We need everything to do a better job.”

Commenting on the players, Bellingham added: “It’s hard out there. It’s hard to change. All the players put in a lot of hard work. So my thoughts and thanks go out to the players who did well out there.”

England were playing in the sweltering heat of Miami with “uniform” temperatures reported to be over 40C. And while Tuchel is not happy with the performance, he has denied claims that this is due to a lack of mental clarity.

“The mind?” Tuchel said in shock. “This [getting through] pure logic now. How can you speak your mind now? This is pure logic.

“It’s not a mental problem. You can bottle it and sell it. Why are you talking about the mind?

“It’s the standard of our game [that’s the problem]. We need to play better.”

Asked about Tuchel’s displeasure, captain Harry Kane said: “He just said in the dressing room; big congratulations, you have to enjoy it and celebrate it.”

“It still feels like there’s a part of him that we know we can do better. Which is a good thing in a way. If we’re in the semi-finals of the World Cup and we can progress, that’s a good thing.

“We have the most important ingredients as a team. If we can start to comment a little more on ball handling, we will have a few good games ahead.”

Neville: Selfishness is a good thing in England

Gary Neville for Sky Sports on ITV:

“That’s why England brought in Thomas Tuchel – a manager who refuses to win a World Cup quarter-final. He wants more.

“The thing they did was to push him too close to the edge against his will. You saw Messi crying one day when they pushed him too close to the edge the other day.

“Tuchel is leaving; why are you bringing me into this? He’s better than that. We’re at the top. It’s great to watch. I love both interviews. Thomas Tuchel was fantastic. Jude Bellingham’s response was brilliant.

“We haven’t looked like a team since the start of the tournament in terms of weaving the units together, the rhythm of passing the ball. What we’ve got is an outstanding player or two in Bellingham and Kane.

“What you saw in those two conversations are arrogant people, world-class players and managers. You have to be outstanding to do what these two have done.

“In an England game in five tournaments, I’ve never seen that level of anger. Apart from Terry Venables and Paul Ince who both played at half-time in the European Championships. I’ve never seen a manager challenge the players or a player challenge the management. It was great. What we saw there was great in England.

“I’ve seen Paul Gascoigne go to the tournament and tear it up, Michael Owen did the same, Wayne Rooney did it in 2004.

“But I have never seen a player who has such an impact on this tournament as Jude Bellingham has.

“This is very special, what we are watching. An absolute star. He gives everything and more for England.”

England’s road to the World Cup final

England’s path to World Cup glory is now clear.

Argentina or Switzerland await in the last four, ahead of the day with France or Spain as rivals in the World Cup finals.

Wednesday July 15: England vs In Argentina or in SwitzerlandAtlanta – starts at 8pm (BST)

Sunday July 19: England vs France/SpainNew Jersey – starts at 8pm (BST)