Harry Kane becomes first England player to address Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham interviews

Harry Kane has been praised for his response to those post-match interviews from Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham following England's win over Norway at the World Cup.

One of the big talking points from Saturday's game was Tuchel's remarks in the aftermath of England's victory in Miami.

Speaking to ITV after the full-time whistle, he admitted he was "not happy" with the performance after they made "sloppy" mistakes throughout.

"We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today," he said. "The result is fantastic, we're in the last four. It's amazing. I'm not happy with the performance.

"In every sense. The commitment is there but we made life very, very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played. Sloppy, tactical mistakes, not fast enough. Not repetitive enough. We were lucky enough.

"We will get better, we need to get better. Now it's celebrations. Now it's taking it all in. We need everything to make a better performance."

A short time later, reporter Gabriel Clarke mentioned those comments from Tuchel to goalscorer Jude Bellingham, who jumped to defend his teammates after a difficult contest against a strong Norway side.

"It's difficult out there," said Bellingham. "It's a tough shift. All the players are putting in a tough shift. So my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there.

"Maybe he doesn't know what it's like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, (Martin) Odegaard, (Antonio) Nusa, (Alexander) Sorloth. That's not an easy team to play against.

"So, I think we've tried to create a positive environment. We should continue that going into the final four. I can't speak highly enough of the lads.

"You're not going to win every game, popping the ball and making a thousand passes. Sometimes you have to win dirty, and we've done that again tonight."

Asked whether he agreed with Tuchel's assessment that England were lucky, he replied: "No comment."

Harry Kane addresses Tuchel and Bellingham interviews ahead of Argentina semi-final

The fallout from Tuchel and Bellingham's interviews has continued to bubble in the build-up to Wednesday's semi-final against Argentina, but Harry Kane has squashed any suggestion of a fallout between the pair.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “When you are playing a game like that and to be asked a question five minutes after the final whistle, and he didn’t really know what the manager has said, what do you want Jude to say?

“We had just been through a battle. It was really tough out there.

“It is easy to try and create this division – it seems like an English mentality, an English thing to do at these major tournaments. But it is the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our togetherness – not just the players, the coach and the staff.

“Things sometimes get made out to be more than they are.”

Fans were quick to praise Kane for his measured response. One wrote: "Classy response from Harry Kane. Let’s put that whole drama to bed and get behind the lads," while another said: "So well handled and said from Kane."

Kane went on to praise Tuchel's management style as they bid to reach the World Cup final.

“We understand it. Players on the pitch know more than anyone when you are playing well, when you are not playing well, that is part and parcel of football,” he added.

“We understand what the boss meant, the boss has been so complimentary of the group.

“He said the mentality of the group, which is sometimes the hardest part, has been at the highest, highest level and we have been for some time now.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and people appreciate that. When he talks, it is never scripted. That is what makes him who he is.

“When it just comes naturally, you believe in that, you believe in what he is saying, you believe in his approach.

“He is one of the best managers in the world for a reason. We understand it. Over the past two years we have got to know him and know what makes him happy.”