Tuchel says ‘lucky’ England must improve despite reaching World Cup semi-finals

England manager Thomas Tuchel declared his team "lucky" to narrowly defeat Norway 2-1 after extra time, advancing to the World Cup semi-finals. He lauded Jude Bellingham's "world-class" performance after the midfielder's two goals overturned Norway's opener. Tuchel, however, was far from celebratory, calling the performance unsatisfactory.

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We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today. The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but I’m not happy with the performance. The commitment is there, but it made life very, very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played, sloppy, lots of safety, not fast enough, not enough. We were lucky today.

"We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today," Tuchel stated in an animated on-field interview shortly after the victory. "The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but I’m not happy with the performance. The commitment is there, but it made life very, very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played, sloppy, lots of safety, not fast enough, not enough. We were lucky today."

Bellingham appeared unfazed by his manager's critique. "Whatever. Whatever," the Real Madrid midfielder responded after 120 grueling minutes in the Miami heat. "It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players are putting in a tough shift. So my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there."

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Whatever. Whatever. It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players are putting in a tough shift. So my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there.

England now prepares to face either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta, aiming to reach the World Cup final for the first time in six decades. Tuchel acknowledged his players' effort and belief in overcoming adversity but remained firm that significant improvement is necessary. "I’m impressed with the shift that they put in, the effort, the belief and to overcome adversity and to dig in and find ways to win is on the absolutely highest level," he said at the post-match press conference. "Full credit to the team, we found a way in the last four. This is of course the most important but the analysing head of me and the football coach still thinks that we can and have played better football."

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I’m impressed with the shift that they put in, the effort, the belief and to overcome adversity and to dig in and find ways to win is on the absolutely highest level. Full credit to the team, we found a way in the last four. This is of course the most important but the analysing head of me and the football coach still thinks that we can and have played better football.

Tuchel also pointed to two key refereeing decisions that favored England. Bellingham's first goal stood despite Norwegian protests regarding a TV camera's proximity to the play. Norway also had a second-half goal disallowed after a VAR review for a foul by Erling Haaland before a corner. "We were lucky. I stand with that," Tuchel added. "No one ever denies that you need luck to go far in tournament football. You need moments where you’re"

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We were lucky. I stand with that. No one ever denies that you need luck to go far in tournament football. You need moments where you’re