Bellingham and Queiroz in heated half-time row as England held by Ghana

The half-time whistle had barely blown when Jude Bellingham found himself in the middle of a furious confrontation with Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz. The 22-year-old had to be pulled away by teammate Morgan Rogers as he engaged with Queiroz and his backroom staff on the pitch at Boston Stadium, the fall-out continuing as players and coaches walked towards the tunnel. The row erupted moments after Bellingham shoved Jerome Opoku in a tackle he described as “silly”, and tensions spilled over as the referee signalled the break. “He had a bad reaction with some bad names and that’s why the story started,” Queiroz said. England manager Thomas Tuchel offered a more sympathetic assessment. “It was an exchange of emotions, and Jude stood up for himself and his team,” Tuchel said. “Emotions are a part of the game but we don’t want to get distracted with stuff that could distract us.” No cards were shown, and the second half resumed without further incident. Bellingham, who was sent off for using foul and abusive language while playing for Real Madrid in February, played down the clash. “It was just when I made a silly tackle… I followed through a little bit and caught the lad. I spoke to him after, and then their bench jumped up trying to get me a yellow card. I think their manager [Queiroz] I just recognised him. He’s obviously the one who used to be at Manchester United, so great respect, and nothing but a competitive edge for both of us,” he said. The on-field stalemate reflected England’s broader frustrations. Ghana spent large periods sitting in a defensive shape, and Tuchel’s side could not break them down. The draw leaves England top of Group L and guaranteed to qualify for the last 32 if they avoid defeat against Panama on Saturday. But the performance exposed deeper concerns. Declan Rice, carrying a hamstring injury since Christmas and substituted in the 72nd minute against Croatia, started the match. Tuchel deployed Rice and Elliot Anderson in a double pivot, a defensive mechanism that left too big a gap to Bellingham and limited control. In the first half against Croatia, the ball moved too easily through the middle, and England struggled to press. Tuchel’s assistant Anthony Barry alluded to “ingrained caution” at half-time of that game, prompting an attitude shift that sparked a second-half eruption. Against Ghana, the same problems resurfaced. Tuchel now faces a decision: persist with the double pivot or introduce Jordan Henderson or Kobbie Mainoo to unlock a more progressive midfield. Rice’s fitness remains a concern—he was spotted limping after the draw. Bellingham’s discipline, too, is under scrutiny after his earlier “repulsive” behaviour against Senegal, a remark Tuchel later apologised for. “I will review his behaviour,” Tuchel said in November after Bellingham’s reaction to being substituted. The coming days may determine whether England’s World Cup campaign gains momentum or stalls.