Jude Bellingham (foto: Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham avoided a costly yellow card against Norway and credited his mother for reminding him to stay calm, ensuring England's biggest star will face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.
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Jude Bellingham has revealed that his mother played a key role in helping him avoid a suspension that would have ruled him out of England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
The Real Madrid midfielder entered the quarter-final against Norway knowing that one more yellow card would trigger a one-match ban. Instead, he kept his discipline, scored twice in England's dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory, and secured his place in Wednesday's blockbuster showdown with Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Speaking after the match, Bellingham admitted his mother had spent the entire week reminding him to control both his emotions and his challenges.
"My mum's been telling me all week to watch my language, watch my tackles, watch my face, watch my emotions," Bellingham said.
"I think she drilled it into me all week about being careful of that yellow card. To be honest, when you play the right way, and credit to the referee, he was class, and I get the balance right, and there's a referee who's willing to listen, it makes it a lot easier."
"In the end, it was just a really well-contested game of football, and luckily I got through it."
England needed every bit of Bellingham's quality against a talented Norwegian side featuring Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sørloth.
After Andreas Schjelderup gave Norway the lead, Bellingham equalised before half-time with a powerful run and finish. He then struck the winning goal in extra time after reacting quickest to a spilled effort from Morgan Rogers.
Despite the victory, England manager Thomas Tuchel surprised many by describing his team's performance as "lucky" during his post-match television interview.
Asked about those comments, Bellingham initially replied, "No comment." After further questioning, he offered a more pointed response.
"Maybe he doesn't know what it's like to play in those kinds of conditions against Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sørloth. That's not an easy team to play against."
"We've tried to create a positive environment, and we should continue that going into the final four. I couldn't speak highly enough of the lads. You're not going to win every game making a thousand passes. Sometimes you have to win dirty, and we did that again tonight."
England played in extreme heat in Miami, with pitchside temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Bellingham also defended his teammates in a separate interview.
"It's tough out there. All the players are putting in a very tough shift. My appreciation goes to everyone who was out there."
Tuchel later dismissed suggestions of tension between himself and his star midfielder.
"There is no disconnect from me to my team, not one per cent. I'm fully in love with my players and the way they perform," the England manager said.
England head into the semi-final against Argentina with few injury concerns. Jordan Henderson returned to the matchday squad despite recovering from a broken arm, while Declan Rice, who was substituted at half-time against Norway after battling illness, is also expected to be available.