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…

Every World Cup, a few new England players enter the wider public consciousness. Premier League fans would have been aware of Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence for a little while now, but those who don’t follow the sport as closely will probably not know a lot about them.

The pair were trusted by Thomas Tuchel as part of his plans for this summer tournament, and each has been heavily involved, with Anderson starting every match until now, with Spence has also featured in every game, although starting just twice.

Even some of the most knowledgeable football fans, however, may not know that they both have famous siblings.

Elliot Anderson’s Boxer and Love Islander Brother

Jim Rassol/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Whitley Bay-born Anderson came through at Newcastle United but joined Nottingham Forest in 2024. The Magpies will be regretting that as he’s since proved to be a top talent, securing a £116m move to Manchester City.

His maternal grandfather, Geoff Allen, actually played for Newcastle United from 1964 to 1968, but it’s his brother who will be known to fans of British reality TV. Indeed, his brother, Wil Anderson, became a public figure after appearing on the 11th season of Love Island.

Older brother Wil was actually seen in the US this summer with his fiancée Uma Jammeh, having met her on Love Island in 2024. He is also a boxer and notably took on Britain’s Got Talent legend Jordan Banjo in a Misfits boxing bout, losing via a fourth-round technical knockout in May 2025.

Spence’s Sister is a British Actress and Voiceover Artist

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

Spence currently plays for Tottenham, joining the club in 2022 from Middlesbrough after an impressive loan spell at Nottingham Forest. While it took him a while to earn his place at Spurs (going out on loan three times), the 25-year-old impressed enough in 2025/26 to win a spot in Tuchel’s England squad.

His older sister is Karla-Simone Spence, and she is known to the public for being a British actress and voiceover artist. The 29-year-old is most widely recognised for her roles in Blue Story and the ITVX period drama The Confessions of Frannie Langton.

As well as that, Spence’s sister has also featured in the BBC series Gold Digger and Wannabe, and she played Haydee in The Count of Monte Cristo alongside well-known actor Sam Claflin.

While Spence will feel as though he did more than enough to make the England World Cup squad, not everybody is convinced. Former England defender John Terry has expressed his concerns over the player, telling Piers Morgan earlier in July:

“Listen, I’m not his fan. I don’t think he’s a good defender, I don’t think he’s a good footballer. He’s played in a really struggling Spurs side this year.”