England are into the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup for only the fourth time in their history, proof that Thomas Tuchel has silenced critics of his team selection, but the narrative of their run still leaves room for regret.

The Three Lions secured a fourth consecutive World Cup win in a single edition for the first time ever, thanks to Jude Bellingham's historic brace, which helped them come from behind to beat a stubborn Norway side and reach the last four.

The 1966 champions continue to ride their luck in North America and will face Argentina for a place in the final, a match layered with historical drama that stretches from football pitches to political corridors.

But a look at England's campaign so far shows they have played both the good and the ugly, and their shortcomings and struggles are testament to the fact that English pundits often lack depth in their analysis, while Thomas Tuchel is not a man without his own regrets.

Where Thomas Tuchel Got It Wrong?

England have endured plenty of misfortune at major tournaments. They reached the finals of the last two European Championships without lifting the trophy, while their elimination at the last World Cup was similarly controversial.

In World Cup history, no team has lost more quarter-finals than the Three Lions, with seven defeats from eleven appearances, but thanks to their resilience, they have conquered every obstacle in their path so far this time around.

It has not been plain sailing, however. The mentality and individual brilliance of players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who between them have scored the majority of England's goals, have been what has carried the team through difficult moments.

Declan Rice has played through pain for much of the tournament, a fact Tuchel himself has confirmed in interviews, while Reece James has also been sidelined for some matches due to recurring injuries.

These absences have repeatedly put England's campaign in jeopardy, most notably when Rice had to be substituted at half-time due to fitness issues, compounded by a lack of options at right-back because of injuries and suspension.

This should surely make Tuchel regret overlooking players like James Garner, who has impressed him before, and could comfortably fill in at both right-back and defensive midfield, as well as Adam Wharton, particularly given that the manager has shown little faith in either Jordan Henderson or Kobbie Mainoo as alternatives.

Why English Pundits Lack Depth?

After Tuchel named his final World Cup squad, English media and pundits fixated on the absence of players like Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen and Harry Maguire. Tuchel, however, made clear he had chosen the players who had carried the team through difficult periods, not the ones with the loudest public backing.

The tournament has so far proven him right and his critics wrong, because England have not missed any of the players the public insisted should have made the squad instead.

Noni Madueke has justified his inclusion through sheer work rate, allowing the team to preserve Bukayo Saka for the most important and decisive moments of matches.

Bellingham, meanwhile, has been unstoppable and stands among the players of the tournament, a status that will take some shifting if he continues this red-hot form and guides the Three Lions toward what would be their second major title.

Plenty of media and pundits called for the Real Madrid midfielder to be dropped before the tournament began. Looking back, one can only wonder how woeful England's campaign might have been without the 23-year-old, whose form has kept even Morgan Rogers out of the starting eleven with two games still to play.

It is clear that English punditry is often biased, with many pundits keen to hype whichever player they share a personal connection with, whether through a former club or some other shared interest, rather than judging purely on merit.

What Now for England?

With Argentina standing between them and a place in the final, England have everything required to end the defending champions' reign, though this may well be the stage where Tuchel is punished for leaving out James Garner and Adam Wharton.

Declan Rice faces a serious fitness test against the South Americans, a very physical opponent, and targeting the Arsenal midfielder could significantly weaken England, given he has no reliable like-for-like replacement in the squad.

Tuchel gambled by introducing Eberechi Eze and pushing Bellingham further back in the second half against Norway, but was forced to bring on Reece James once it became clear the change was not working, with Norway dominating proceedings.

England ultimately finished the game with a midfield three of Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers as they searched desperately for a winner, one that eventually arrived through Bellingham's decisive intervention.

It was a significant gamble from the former Chelsea boss, and he will be grateful it paid off thanks to Bellingham's brilliance, but these are situations Tuchel could have avoided entirely had his squad selection been based purely on merit rather than giving in to the pressure.

As England's journey continues into the World Cup's final four, Thomas Tuchel will hope his trusted men stay fit and continue delivering when it matters most, as he looks to become the first-ever coach to win the World Cup with a foreign nation.