​MIAMI — England have been harsh and unpleasant to face at this 2026 World Cup, and that grit is precisely what they needed to take the final step toward winning a major tournament. After a grueling semifinal victory over Norway on Saturday in the blistering heat and humidity of Miami, Thomas Tuchel critiqued his team for their display, calling it a tough watch even as he acknowledged the mindset that carried them through.
“This is pure mentality,” Tuchel said, asked about the performance after the match by ITV Sport in the UK. “How can you talk about mentality now? This is pure mentality, you can bottle it up and sell it. It’s the quality of our games. That’s it. It has nothing to do with mentality.” In truth, England again found a way to grind out the result, much as they did against DR Congo and Mexico in the knockout rounds of this tournament. The moment the players and fans sang Wonderwall together at the final whistle—now almost an unofficial team anthem—spoke volumes about this squad and what the country expects from them. England supporters adore this group. Regardless of how they perform, they trust that this team will never quit.
Full-back Djed Spence came off the bench to deliver a standout performance against Norway, helping push England toward the final four. He sprinted 50 yards to close down the goalkeeper and nearly forced an opening goal. He weaved 30 yards through the defense, nearly scoring a spectacular strike. His willingness to throw himself into tackles and aerial duels helped lift his teammates when energy was draining. His contribution embodied the unity and toughness that define this England side as they chase a first World Cup since 1966.
Asked by Pro Soccer Talk about the resilience and cohesion within the squad, Spence did not mince words about how close-knit this group is. “We’ve got great character, great team spirit. That is what we’ve been building over the last couple of months. We are a family, we are altogether and we will die for each other,” Spence said.
Dan Burn, another squad member who has been pivotal at crucial moments for England at this World Cup, celebrated a late headed clearance against Norway as if it were a goal. His sentiments reflected the broader mood within the squad. Burn told Pro Soccer Talk, “You can talk about brotherhood and character a lot, but until you actually see it on the pitch, it’s hard to believe in. I think we’ve demonstrated that in the last two games, showing that we can see matches out and get through when we’re not playing at our best. We’re excited for the semifinal.”
England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also spoke about the resilience his side has shown to reach this stage, underscoring a willingness to do the hard yards required to secure a result. “You’ve got to get in the trenches sometimes, you’ve got to be resilient, and you’ve got to roll your sleeves up. That’s what we’ve got,” Pickford said, emphasizing the team’s readiness to do whatever it takes to get over the line.