It was a tight game, but England just about had enough in them to get across the line against Norway. Two goals from Jude Bellingham sent the Three Lions into the World Cup semi-finals, as they won the match 2-1.

A freakish goal allowed their opponents to take a first-half lead when Andreas Schjelderup’s cross looped over Jordan Pickford’s head. Just before the break, Bellingham then levelled the score, although his goal came in controversial fashion, with the ball appearing to hit a TV camera during the build-up.

The second half passed with more drama as Norway’s Torbjorn Heggem had a goal ruled out when VAR spotted a push by Erling Haaland, but just three minutes into extra-time Bellingham popped up with his second. Morgan Rogers’ strike was spilt by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, allowing the midfielder to steal in for the winner.

It was a tough game, and Thomas Tuchel wasn’t happy with his team. However, his response has not gone down well with Bellingham.

Thomas Tuchel Unhappy After England 2-1 Norway

Speaking to the press immediately after the win, Tuchel made it clear that he wasn’t satisfied with the performance, despite obviously being delighted to have made it to the World Cup semi-finals. He told the media: “We made life very difficult for ourselves. The result is fantastic, it’s amazing, but we are not happy with the performance.”

When pushed for more details, the German explained, “In every sense. Sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough: we were lucky today.” He was also quoted as saying:

His comments appear to have irked Bellingham. Speaking to ITV, the Real Madrid star seemed pretty dismissive of Tuchel’s criticisms, as he shot back: “Whatever. It’s difficult out there. A tough shift. Character, perseverance: when things weren’t working, we found a way to win a game. We gave it everything we’ve got. So proud of this team.”

While some might put the tension down to high emotions in the heat of the moment, he doubled down on his stance when talking to BBC Sport in another interview. Bellingham was asked, “Thomas has just been quite critical of the performance, does that just show the standards he expects?” The midfielder shot back:

Bellingham certainly didn’t pull any punches as he appeared to suggest Tuchel should have been more ‘positive’ with his post-game reaction. It will certainly be interesting to see how the German now repsonds to this criticism from one of his own key players.

For now, though, both men will just be relieved to have made it into the semi-finals.

Jude Bellingham dismissed Thomas Tuchel‘s post-match criticisms of England‘s performance despite their 2-1 victory over Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals.

England reached a second semi-final in three tournaments, as Bellingham’s brace was enough to edge out a spirited Norway side, who originally took the lead.

Far from England’s best performance, it drew a passionate speech of constructive criticism from Tuchel, who hailed his side’s mentality but questioned their quality.

Bellingham hit back, calling the match “tough” as the Three Lions now await the winner of the final quarter-final tie between Argentina and Switzerland.

Tuchel’s Passionate Criticism

Paul Childs via Reuters

“We made life very difficult for ourselves,” Tuchel began. “The result is fantastic, it’s amazing, but we are not happy with the performance.” When pushed for more details, the German simply responded with, ​​​​​​​“In every sense. Sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough: we were lucky today.”

When asked if it was a mentality issue, Tuchel quickly hit back at ITV’s Gabriel Clarke, passionately hailing his players, stating that mentality is what drove the players to success:

Speaking on Bellingham, who netted another brace after his efforts against Mexico, he called the Real Madrid star “world-class” and claimed he produces “every single match”.

​​​​​​​Bellingham’s Bold Response

When the midfielder was told his manager was not happy with the team’s performance, Bellingham’s reply was rather eye-catching. He bluntly said:

“It’s difficult out there. A tough shift,” he added. “Character, perseverance, when things weren’t working we found a way to win a game. We gave it everything we’ve got. So proud of this team.”

Before Bellingham’s brace, a first-half strike from Andreas Schjelderup sparked the game into life, as the Benfica attacker fired an effort that toed the line between cross and shot. Regardless, it shocked England into life, who quickly hit back on the edge of halftime.

Bellingham received a smart ball from Anthony Gordon before carrying it into the box and firing low and hard past Ørjan Nyland to bring his side level. However, England had to be saved by VAR in the early knockings of the second half as Torbjorn Heggem’s goal was ruled out following a foul by Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson.

The 23-year-old midfielder grabbed his second to settle the tie early into extra-time, netting his sixth in this tournament format, which is more than Zinedine Zidane managed across his World Cup career.

Despite their 2-1 win over Norway in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday night, England supporters have singled out one player as reason to believe the Three Lions are being held back in their pursuit of bringing football home for the first time in 60 years this summer.

The Vikings took a freak lead in a hot and humid Miami, with Andreas Schjelderup’s mishit cross crashing off the upright of the post and into the back of Jordan Pickford’s net. Jude Bellingham levelled things before halftime for his fifth goal of the tournament, but his race wasn’t quite ran just yet.

Indeed, his nation’s hero on so many occasions, the Real Madrid midfielder scored again in extra-time, reacting quickest to a rebound to slide the ball across the goalline. Blushes were spared, but not all is forgiven by supporters just yet, as England were made to work too hard for their liking yet again.

England Fans Single Out Player That Has Held Tuchel Back This Summer

Paul Childs via Reuters

When it’s considered that Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were among the biggest ommissions from Thomas Tuchel’s final 26-man squad, there was always going to be much greater scrutiny on players like Noni Madueke. Unfortunately, he hasn’t survived the tournament without that turning to intense criticism after he was hooked off at the break.

“Madueke is shocking, how’s he starting?” One X user questioned, as another added: “You can’t start [Anthony] Gordon and [Noni] Madueke and then wonder why we can’t attack.” A third wrote: “I’m sorry but how did Madueke make this squad he’s awful,” a fourth continued: “This obsession with Madueke will cost them,” and a fifth remarked:

Another took to social media, trying to push Piers Morgan’s buttons: “@piersmorgan, your mate Madueke, shocking beyond all words….” Meanwhile, a seventh wrote: “Madueke is not good enough at this level. Been poor every time he’s played in this World Cup,” as an eighth concluded: “Madueke is a terrible, terrible player. What a disgrace.”

England Keep on Keeping on as World Cup Glory Moves Closer

REUTERS/Paul Childs

England have now reached four World Cup semi-finals. In 1966, they won their sole crown – but in 1990 and 2018, they failed to make the final. They are yet to appear to have moved out of second gear this summer, but have the hallmarks of champions with their ability to squeeze through matches and progress.

The playing style, at times, might not feel electric, nor does it feel authoritative. If anything, it feels lucky. But while Gareth Southgate squads did the same thing, the Three Lions now find themselves working under a manager who has a track record of getting his teams over the line and winning trophies.

It’s wins like ones against Mexico and Norway that build a team, and that’s the next step of England’s evolution under their German helmsman. They can’t keep relying on Harry Kane and Bellingham to get by, and that’s especially the case when they could meet Argentina in the semi-finals.

More to follow…