England manager Thomas Tuchel gave a combative ITV interview after his side reached the 2026 World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Norway in Miami, clashing with the reporter and insisting his team had been "lucky". His remarks appear to have caused friction within the camp, with matchwinner Jude Bellingham publicly pushing back and reportedly dismissing the criticism with a "whatever" jibe, suggesting Tuchel "doesn't know what it's like" as a player. The exchange matters because it exposes tensions in the England set-up just as they prepare for a high-stakes semi-final.

England's win was secured by a Bellingham brace, though the performance was widely described as scrappy and nervy, requiring extra time to see off Norway. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was criticised by pundits Ian Wright and Gary Neville for a costly error, while Norway's Erling Haaland was controversially substituted despite his side chasing the game, prompting his father Alfie Haaland to take aim at the referees. England will next face Argentina in the semi-final, after the South Americans beat Switzerland in extra time in a match marred by Breel Embolo's red card for diving.