Tuchel relieved as ‘lucky’ Bellingham avoids red card in laboured England win

LONDON: Thomas Tuchel admitted Jude Bellingham was “lucky” to escape a red card as England “struggled” to secure a 3-0 win against minnows Latvia on Monday.

Just two days after claiming Bellingham can be “very emotional” and needed to control his mood on the pitch, the Real Madrid star was fortunate not to be sent off in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

After being booked in the first half, Bellingham avoided a second yellow yard despite crunching into a crude challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis soon after the interval. England boss Tuchel responded by sending on Phil Foden to replace the midfielder moments later to ensure he was not given his marching orders.