Tuchel Relieved as ‘Lucky’ Bellingham Avoids Red Card in England’s Laboured Win

LONDON, 25th March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Thomas Tuchel admitted that Jude Bellingham was “lucky” to avoid a red card as England struggled to secure a 3-0 victory against minnows Latvia on Monday.

Just two days after commenting that Bellingham can be “very emotional” and needs to control his temperament on the pitch, the Real Madrid midfielder found himself fortunate not to be sent off in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley. Having been booked in the first half, Bellingham was lucky to escape a second yellow card after making a rash challenge on Latvia’s Raivis Jurkovskis shortly after the break.

Tuchel quickly acted by replacing Bellingham with Phil Foden to prevent the midfielder from being sent off.

“A bit lucky. We made the decision straight away not to take the risk and take him off,” Tuchel admitted.

England had taken the lead thanks to Reece James’s stunning free-kick in the first half, but were struggling to break down a resilient Latvia side when Bellingham was substituted. His potential dismissal could have jeopardised Tuchel’s bid for a second successive win at the start of his tenure.

Moments after Bellingham’s departure, Harry Kane doubled England’s lead, and Eberechi Eze sealed the win with a late goal, keeping the team on course for next year’s World Cup.

Facing a Latvia team ranked 136 places below them in FIFA’s rankings, Tuchel acknowledged that England’s performance was far from convincing, following a similarly uninspired 2-0 victory over Albania in his managerial debut on Friday.

“It was not an easy match. We saw a lot of good things, created good chances. We needed a free-kick to unlock it. I’m happy with the attitude, energy, and desire. We will get there,” Tuchel said.

“The second half, we started to slow the game down and made little movement, which made no sense. But the second goal was better, as we showed acceleration from one of our sixes.”

Tuchel added, “We encourage everyone to have these late accelerations, but we struggled a bit until the goal. I learn about the players and the game, so it is interesting.”

James Shines in England Return

One of the bright spots of the evening was Reece James’s impressive performance in his first England start since September 2022. The Chelsea right-back, who has battled hamstring injuries in recent seasons, was a standout player, and Tuchel was full of praise for his contribution.

“I know Reece and the quality the boy has is amazing. He has every right to be proud and happy with his performance,” Tuchel said. “He is in excellent shape. He looks sharp, and the quality there can be no doubt.

“If you play a dominant match like today, he can be a hybrid midfielder to help create an overload. His quality is at the highest level.”

Tuchel continued, “We were in close contact in the last weeks. We knew he was in a good space mentally. That’s what he proved. He was very positive throughout the camp.”

Rogers Impresses in First England Start

Tuchel also expressed his satisfaction with Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, who earned his first England start. Rogers has been a key figure in Villa’s campaign, which has seen them reach the Champions League quarter-finals, and Tuchel believes the player can bring that form to the international stage.

“I’m happy with him. He deserved to start. A match where we are so dominant could suit him more to play from the wings,” Tuchel remarked. “He felt more freedom when we played him there. There was more space. He did well.”

England will return to action in June, with a match against Andorra as they continue their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.

Related Insights:

• Tuchel’s reign as England manager has brought a more cautious yet structured approach to the team. Despite a lacklustre performance, England remain on track to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
• Bellingham’s fiery temperament has been a topic of discussion since his transfer to Real Madrid, but his ability to control his emotions on the pitch could be crucial for England’s success.
• Reece James’s form could be pivotal for England as the team aims to strengthen their right flank ahead of more challenging fixtures.
• Morgan Rogers, often overshadowed by more established names, may be an emerging star for both club and country in the coming years.