England's quarter‑final victory marred by sloppy play, says coach

England advanced to the semi‑finals of the 2026 World Cup after a hard‑fought 2‑1 win over Norway, yet head coach Thomas Tuchel described the display as “sloppy” and “far from the level we set for ourselves”.

The match began with Norway dominating possession and taking the lead via Andreas Skjelderup. Bellingham equalised in injury time and later delivered a stunning finish in extra time. Despite the comeback, Tuchel pointed out numerous technical errors and moments of hesitation that could have cost the team dearly.

“The players showed heart, but the execution was not there,” Tuchel asserted. “We need sharper decision‑making and a faster transition to avoid relying on fortune.”

Captain Harry Kane supported the call for higher standards, noting that the squad must improve its passing game and defensive shape ahead of the next fixture.