Thomas Tuchel admitted he was not happy with England's performance in their nervy World Cup quarter-final win over Norway - admitting the Three Lions were "sloppy, lucky" and not good enough in "every sense".
England put the nation through the mill once again via their comeback victory that was taken to extra-time. After falling behind, Jude Bellingham's double put the Three Lions into just their third World Cup semi-final since 1966 - but there was more to it than that.
Norway dominated the second half, seeing a second goal disallowed for an Erling Haaland foul and also hit the bar through Kristoffer Ajer. Tuchel was left far from impressed.
"We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today," he told ITV Sport . "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."
However, England matchwinner Bellingham showed a bit of needle about Tuchel's comments when they were put to him, responding: "Yeah, well. Whatever.
Norway 1-2 England (AET) - report and reaction
"It's difficult out there. 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."
England were playing in intense Miami heat with "feel-like" temperatures reported to be over 40C. And while Tuchel was unimpressed with the performance, he refuted claims this was down to a lack of mentality.
"Mentality?" said a shocked Tuchel. "This [getting through] is pure mentality now. How can you talk about mentality now? This is pure mentality.
"It's not a mentality problem. You can bottle it up and sell it. Why are you talking about mentality?
"It's the quality of our game [that's the problem]. We need to play better."
Asked about Tuchel's dissatisfaction, captain Harry Kane said: "He just said there in the changing room; massive congratulations, you should enjoy it and celebrate.
"It still feels like there's a part of him that knows we can do better. Which in a way is a good thing. If we're in the semi-finals of a World Cup and can improve still, then we can only take that as a positive.
"We had the most important ingredients as a team. If we can start ticking a little bit better with the ball in possession, then we'll have a good couple of games ahead."
"That's why England brought Thomas Tuchel in - a manager who does not accept just winning the World Cup quarter-final. He wants more.
"What they've done is they've taken him too close to the edge for his liking. You saw Messi cry the other day when they took him too close to the edge for the other day.
"Tuchel is going; why are you putting me through this? You're better than that. We're higher quality. It's brilliant to watch. I love both interviews. Thomas Tuchel's was fantastic. Jude Bellingham's response was absolutely brilliant.
"We've not looked like a collective unit since the start of the tournament in terms of knitting units together, rhythm of passes in possession.
"What we've got is an exceptional player or two in Bellingham and Kane.
"What you've seen in those two interviews are massive egos, world-class players and managers. You have to be exceptional to do what those two have done.
"In a player for England in five tournaments, I never saw that level of angst. Apart from Terry Venables and Paul Ince who both went for each other at half-time in a game at the European Championships. I never saw a manager challenge the players or a player challenge the managers. It was nicey-nicey. What we've seen there is very good for England.
"I've seen Paul Gascoigne go to a tournament and rip it up, Michael Owen do the same, Wayne Rooney did it in 2004.
"But I've never seen a player have an impact on the tournament in the way Jude Bellingham is.
"This is very special, what we're watching. An absolute superstar. He's giving everything and more out there for England."
England's route to World Cup glory is now crystal clear.
Argentina or Switzerland await in the last four, before a date with either France or Spain as possible World Cup final opponents.
Wednesday July 15: England vs Argentina or Switzerland , Atlanta - kick-off 8pm
Sunday July 19: England vs France/Spain , New Jersey - kick-off 8pm
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Sources: Sky Sports
