FIFA World Cup
Bellingham stabbed in just after the hour mark, breaking the deadlock in an awkward game in New Jersey.
It was his second goal of the tournament, and he then turned provider, crossing for Harry Kane to head home as England claimed the victory that saw them to advance to the last 32 as Group L winners.
It was his second goal of the tournament, and he then turned provider, crossing for Harry Kane to head home as England claimed the victory that saw them to advance to the last 32 as Group L winners.
"He is just in a sweet spot after his injury, he is just happy to play, and he feels free and he can just hopefully now also play with that intensity in a short period of time," Tuchel said of the midfielder who turns 23 on Monday.
It is not so long ago that Bellingham's place in Tuchel's squad appeared in doubt, and he featured in just two of England's eight matches between September and March.
Shoulder and hamstring injuries disrupted his season at club level, but Bellingham is now back playing regularly for his country - even if Tuchel has taken him off in all three games so far at the FIFA World Cup.
It is not so long ago that Bellingham's place in Tuchel's squad appeared in doubt, and he featured in just two of England's eight matches between September and March.
Shoulder and hamstring injuries disrupted his season at club level, but Bellingham is now back playing regularly for his country - even if Tuchel has taken him off in all three games so far at the FIFA World Cup.
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"That is why we take care of him at the moment after 60 to 70 minutes, because we saw in the last months that he did not produce that level of intensity for club and country," Tuchel said.
"He is a key player, he needs to play with this intensity. Our job is to support him and help him to be the best version of himself.
"We will also push Morgan (Rogers) to fight for his place, but it is good that we have him in this kind of spirit."
"He is a key player, he needs to play with this intensity. Our job is to support him and help him to be the best version of himself.
"We will also push Morgan (Rogers) to fight for his place, but it is good that we have him in this kind of spirit."
Kane's goal allowed him to become his country's all-time top scorer at World Cups with 11, one more than Gary Lineker.
"Everybody is very happy for Harry because he is a fantastic teammate, he is loved and respected by everyone," Tuchel said of the Bayern Munich striker.
"It is fantastic that he had the chance to break this record in a World Cup. Harry is in an amazing state of mind, physically as well - he is hungry, not satisfied, which shows the character and determination of him and that is why we are happy to have him as captain."
"Everybody is very happy for Harry because he is a fantastic teammate, he is loved and respected by everyone," Tuchel said of the Bayern Munich striker.
"It is fantastic that he had the chance to break this record in a World Cup. Harry is in an amazing state of mind, physically as well - he is hungry, not satisfied, which shows the character and determination of him and that is why we are happy to have him as captain."
The biggest downside for England was the injury to Jarell Quansah, who replaced the injured Reece James at right-back but had to come off with what Tuchel called "a classic ankle twist".
He may need to find a solution as England head to Atlanta to face Congo DR in the next round. If they come through that, there is the tantalising prospect of a last-16 match against either Mexico or Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, scene of the legendary 1986 quarter-final against Diego Maradona's Argentina.
He may need to find a solution as England head to Atlanta to face Congo DR in the next round. If they come through that, there is the tantalising prospect of a last-16 match against either Mexico or Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, scene of the legendary 1986 quarter-final against Diego Maradona's Argentina.
"It is possible but there is a match before that and there is only one match we can focus on," Tuchel insisted.
"If we get carried away and start talking about a possible round of 16, we will just get punished."
Source: AFP
"If we get carried away and start talking about a possible round of 16, we will just get punished."
Source: AFP
