Bellingham fires back at Tuchel after brace sends England into World Cup semi-finals

Jude Bellingham hit back at Thomas Tuchel’s damning post-match verdict after scoring twice to send England into the 2026 World Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time win over Norway in Miami.

Tuchel had said he was “not happy with the performance” and that England were lucky to advance, but Bellingham — who earned his fourth man-of-the-match award in six games — was in no mood to accept that framing.

“Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, Odegaard, Nusa, Sorloth,” the Real Madrid midfielder said. “That’s not an easy team to play against. Sometimes you have to win dirty, and we’ve done that again tonight.”

Asked directly whether he agreed with Tuchel’s assessment that England were lucky, Bellingham offered a pointed two-word reply: “No comment.”

The 23-year-old, who came from behind alongside his teammates after Norway took the lead, drew level with Harry Kane on six goals for the tournament. He was keen to spread the credit despite his own starring role.

“We’ve tried to create a positive environment. We should continue that going into the final four. I can’t speak highly enough of the lads,” he said.

Tuchel moved quickly to defuse any suggestion of a rift between himself and the squad. The England head coach acknowledged the extraordinary physical demands placed on his players in the searing Miami heat while standing by his footballing analysis.

“Absolutely, no one disputes that. I am impressed with the shift that they put in,” Tuchel said. “The effort, team spirit, the belief and to overcome adversity and to dig in and find ways to win is on the absolutely highest level. They cannot get enough praise for that.”

“But I’m also a football coach and I think we can play better. In general, it was not a high-level game.”

The German was emphatic, however, that no disconnect exists between the dugout and the dressing room. “No disconnect from me to my team, not one per cent. I am full with my heart and fully in love with my players and my team and the way they perform,” he said.

England have now reached the last four of a World Cup for the fourth time in their history, with Bellingham’s brace — his second in successive knockout games — the decisive factor in overcoming a Norway side featuring some of Europe’s most dangerous attacking talent.