Fifa World Cup: ‘Sloppy’ England sink Norway after Bellingham goals but Tuchel unimpressed
German boss says team ‘made life difficult for themselves’ after come-from-behind victory sets up semi-final against Argentina
England boss Thomas Tuchel and his side’s two-goal hero Jude Bellingham had very different takes on their 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway in Miami on Saturday.
While Tuchel laid into his team for a “sloppy” display, Bellingham praised his teammates for coming out on top after “a tough shift” in a game that went to extra-time.
It is the fourth time England have reached the last four and the first since 2018 when they were beaten by Croatia. They will meet Argentina, who also needed extra-time to get past Switzerland, in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Norwegians led after Andreas Schjelderup’s flighted 36th-minute delivery from the left caught Jordan Pickford off guard and drifted in via the far post.
But Bellingham stroked home a fine finish in first-half stoppage time, then pounced for the winner in the third minute of extra-time after Orjan Nyland fumbled a shot from Morgan Rogers.
“We showed character and perseverance when things weren’t working, and we found a way to win,” Bellingham said. “I’m so proud of this team again.