Jude Bellingham challenged manager Thomas Tuchel’s critical assessment of England’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, urging for a more positive outlook.

Bellingham delivered a standout performance, scoring two goals to help England overcome the intense Miami heat and a one-goal deficit. This result earned the midfielder his fourth man-of-the-match award in six tournament appearances.

Tuchel’s team faced a challenging test against the Scandinavians, requiring extra time to secure a place in their fourth World Cup semi-final. Following the match, the German coach expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s display.

The Real Madrid star stood by his teammates and questioned his manager’s perspective.

“Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, (Martin) Odegaard, (Antonio) Nusa, (Alexander) Sorloth.”

“That’s not an easy team to play against.”

“So, I think 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.”

“You’re not going to win every game, popping the ball and making a thousand passes. Sometimes you have to win dirty, and we’ve done that again tonight.”

When asked if he agreed with Tuchel’s view that England were lucky, Bellingham replied: “No comment.”

Tuchel later addressed the comments, asserting that no disconnect exists between him and his squad.

“Absolutely, no one disputes that. I am impressed with the shift that they put in,” he stated, highlighting the physical demands of the heat.

“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, I think it was not a high-level game. I think we had better games in general.”

He added: “We had a lot of momentum swings for both teams, so, yeah, full credit to the team. We found a way. We’re in the last four.”

“This is, of course, the most important but the analysing head of me and the football coach in me still thinks that we can and have to play better football.”

“My heart, there is no doubt, I am proud and happy and I feel so connected to this team because they just do whatever it takes to take the next step.”

“A lot of things we can do better, which is not a problem, but no disconnect from me to my team, not one per cent. I am full with my heart and fully in lve with my players and my team and the way they perform.”

Bellingham now shares the tournament lead with Harry Kane, having netted six goals after producing a second consecutive brace.

The 23-year-old admitted his current success on the world stage exceeds his expectations, yet he remained humble regarding his contribution.

“Yeah, probably a bit beyond, to be honest,” he said. “I’m a confident boy, but I don’t think you go to bed at night dreaming about games like that.”

“So, it’s nice to have an impact and to help my team. But my God, the effort of those lads in there.”

“I’m so proud of how they keep battling, regardless of what situations we find ourselves in.”

“They can be really proud, and I know they are. And I’ll make sure they feel that as well.”