Thomas Tuchel says he held England meeting to clear the air after Norway comments

Key Points:

• Thomas Tuchel held a team meeting with England players to clear the air following his criticism of their performance in the Norway quarter-final and Jude Bellingham’s critical post-match comments, aiming to refocus on the upcoming semi-final against Argentina.
• Tuchel emphasized that he and Bellingham share the same competitive mindset and dismissed suggestions of any rift, stating they are "more close than ever before" after recent events.
• Tuchel defended Bellingham’s post-match remarks as a natural reaction to physical exhaustion and praised his world-class performance and the team’s strong mentality despite the criticism.
• The England coach highlighted the importance of moving forward and focusing on the semi-final, describing Argentina as a historically fueled, emotionally driven team that England is prepared to face with grit and determination.
• Tuchel stressed the unity and positive energy within the England squad, expressing confidence in their readiness for the challenging semi-final match.