England captain Harry Kane has expressed confidence that the team possesses an untapped potential, stating they “have another level we can reach” as they continue their campaign in the World Cup 2026. This comes as England prepares for a semi-final match against Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta, following their 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway.
Following the quarter-final win, manager Thomas Tuchel voiced dissatisfaction with England’s performance, describing it as “sloppy” with “a lot of technical mistakes” and not “fast enough, not repetitive enough.” He also suggested the team “got lucky.” Kane, who has scored six goals in the tournament, acknowledged Tuchel’s frustrations, attributing them to the team not replicating their training form.
Team Performance and Managerial Feedback
Kane elaborated on Tuchel’s perspective, suggesting the manager wants to see the team’s full potential, especially given the talent within the squad. “When he sees us train and sees the closeness of us and sees what we can do, especially with the players we have, the way we attack, our one-on-ones and the skills, he just wants to see that version of us,” Kane stated. He added that while playing against strong opposition makes consistent high performance challenging, the team knows they can improve.
The captain noted that England has shown glimpses of their capability, including against Norway, but has not yet achieved the full control they desire. Despite this, he highlighted the positive aspect of being in a semi-final while still feeling there is room for improvement. England, champions in 1966, has reached the semi-finals for the fourth time, having previously lost at this stage in 1990 and 2018.
Jude Bellingham, who has scored in England’s last two matches and is joint top goalscorer with Kane, offered a different view regarding Tuchel’s comments. Bellingham emphasized the difficulty of playing in such conditions against formidable opponents like Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa, and Alexander Sorloth. He commended his teammates for their effort during the match.
Controversy Surrounding Bellingham’s Goal
The match against Norway also featured a moment of controversy surrounding Bellingham’s first goal, which brought England level just before half-time. Norway’s goalkeeper, Ørjan Håskjold Nyland, and coaching staff reacted strongly, believing the ball had struck an overhead cable used for a camera before dropping to Elliot Anderson, who then initiated the play leading to Bellingham’s goal.
Nyland ran towards the referee, Clément Turpin, to protest, and Norway’s manager, Ståle Solbakken, confirmed that many on the bench witnessed the incident. Midfielder Sander Berge described the situation as “ridiculous.” However, Fifa released a statement denying any interference, citing data from the Connected Ball sensor which showed no peak in its ‘heartbeat’ that would indicate contact with an overhead wire.
Tuchel also commented on the incident, suggesting that the chip in the ball should be able to confirm if any contact occurred. Despite Norway’s protests, the goal stood. Bellingham later scored again in extra time, securing England’s place in the semi-finals.
Bellingham’s Impact and Leadership
Gary Neville praised Bellingham’s performance against Norway, calling him England’s current superstar. Neville highlighted Bellingham’s influence throughout the tournament, stating he has never witnessed an England player have such an impact. Bellingham scored both goals in the extra-time victory, setting up the semi-final against Argentina.
Neville noted Bellingham’s exceptional contributions in both attack and defence, suggesting he has elevated his game to a world-class level. He also approved of Bellingham’s response to Tuchel’s post-match criticism, viewing it as a display of responsibility both on and off the pitch. Neville drew parallels to his own experience with managers who were not always satisfied even after wins, indicating that such interactions can foster accountability.
The Real Madrid midfielder’s willingness to engage in interviews after every match, even following less impressive performances, was also commended by Neville. This approach, combined with his on-field heroics, has solidified his status as a key figure for England heading into the semi-final clash.
England will play Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
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Source: bbc.co.uk