Thomas Tuchel delivered a passionate rant during the hydration break in the quarter-final against Norway, according to a lip reader. The England manager tore into his squad, demanding they work harder and follow the staff's instructions after a sluggish first-half performance.
England went behind after Andreas Schjelderup's fortunate goal but clawed their way back, eventually winning 2-1 in extra-time thanks to Jude Bellingham's brace. The Real Madrid midfielder netted the equaliser on the brink of half-time and then three minutes into extra-time.
Lip Reader Reveals Tuchel's Harsh Words
According to lip-reader Nicola Hickling, Tuchel said: "Work harder. Go faster. You're so static. You're just standing. I need to tell you... Listen to the staff. We've got to fight for our positions. Listen to the staff. Keep the ball low. Less pushing, more focus on the ball. At corners, you've got to go right."
He also directed specific instructions at Anthony Gordon: "Don't come from the front. Your best position is on the right - that's a fact. Every time you come from the front, the ball gets lost. Now listen: keep right, stay right."
Norway Capitalised on England's Mistakes
Despite Tuchel's blast, Norway emerged from the hydration break looking sharper. John Stones surrendered possession inside the England box moments later, almost handing Erling Haaland a golden chance before Jordan Pickford raced out to collect the ball. Haaland soon had another sight of goal with a close-range header, and England were punished shortly after when a loose touch from Harry Kane sparked Norway's move, ending with Schjelderup sweeping home an intended cross.
Tuchel's message finally landed, and England struck right on the cusp of half-time. They kept that intensity through extra time, where Bellingham delivered the winner with his second of the night.
Tuchel Remains Critical Despite Win
However, Tuchel remained far from satisfied. "We were lucky," he told ITV after the game. "We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today. The result is fantastic, we're in the last four. It's amazing but I'm not happy with the performance. The commitment is there but we made life very, very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played. Sloppy, tactical mistakes, not fast enough. Not repetitive enough. We were lucky enough."
Bellingham, however, took a different view. "Maybe," he said when asked whether the criticism was justified. "But maybe he doesn't know what it's like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, Odegaard, Nusa, 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 1,000 passes. Sometimes you have to win dirty, and we've done that again tonight."
Tuchel Clarifies Remarks
Tuchel later clarified his remarks: "No one suggests that I'm not impressed with the shift that they put in, the effort, the spirit, the belief. To overcome adversity and to dig in and to 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. There's no doubt I'm proud, and I'm happy and I feel so connected to this team because they just do whatever it takes."
England will now face Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday, July 15 at 8pm.
