Tuchel says England got lucky in Norway quarter‑final win, Bellingham disagrees

England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel drew praise from a group of former England internationals after he described his side’s 2‑1 World Cup quarter‑final victory over Norway as “a bit of luck”. The former players highlighted Tuchel’s humility in acknowledging the fine margins that decided the match, noting that the comment reflected a realistic assessment of England’s performance and the unpredictable nature of knockout football.

Midfielder Jude Bellingham, who scored the winning goal, countered the “lucky” narrative, insisting the result was earned through the team’s work rate and tactical discipline. Bellingham pointed to England’s sustained pressure, defensive organization and the decisive finish as evidence of merit rather than chance. The win propels England into the semi‑finals, where they will face the winner of the Brazil‑France tie later this week.