Kane dismisses media 'division' claims after Bellingham-Tuchel furore ahead of Argentina semi-final

Harry Kane has pushed back against suggestions of unrest in the England camp, accusing the media of manufacturing division after the row sparked by Jude Bellingham’s response to Thomas Tuchel’s post-match interview following Saturday’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway.

Bellingham’s double secured England’s place in the semi-finals, but the aftermath was dominated by Tuchel’s admission that he was not happy with “everything” about the performance and that his side had been “lucky” to advance. When ITV interviewer Gabriel Clarke relayed those comments to Bellingham moments later, the midfielder replied: “Whatever. It’s difficult out there, it’s a tough shift. My thoughts and appreciation goes to the players who are out there, putting [in] a great shift.”

Speaking to the BBC ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final against Argentina, Kane said the reaction was overblown. “When you are playing a game like that and to be asked a question five minutes after the final whistle, and he didn’t really know what the manager has said, what do you want Jude to say?” Kane said. “We had just been through a battle. It was really tough out there. It is easy to try and create this division — it seems like an English mentality, an English thing to do at these major tournaments. But it is the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our togetherness — not just the players, the coach and the staff.”

Bellingham himself did not back down in the mixed zone, adding: “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions against Erling Haaland, Odegaard, Nusa, Sorloth. They’re not an easy team to play against.”

Kane, who is level with Bellingham on six goals for the tournament, was quick to defend Tuchel’s directness, describing it as a hallmark of what makes the German “one of the best managers in the world.” “He wears his heart on his sleeve and people appreciate that. When he talks, it is never scripted. That is what makes him who he is,” Kane said. “We understand what the boss meant — the boss has been so complimentary of the group. He said the mentality of the group has been at the highest, highest level.”

England now face Argentina in the semi-finals, with Kane insisting the squad’s cohesion remains intact despite the noise surrounding the Norway win.