Coach Tuchel relieved as ‘lucky’ Bellingham avoids red card

Harry Kane netted moments after Bellingham’s departure before Eberechi Eze wrapped up the points on the road to next year’s World Cup

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Thomas Tuchel admitted Jude Bellingham was “lucky” to escape a red card as England “struggled” to secure a 3-O win against min-nows 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, Bell-ingham 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.

“A bit lucky. We took straight away the decision to not take the risk and take him off,” Tuchel said.

Leading through Reece James's superb first-half free-kick, England were struggling to kill off stubborn Latvia when Bellingham was substituted.

His lack of discipline could have hampered Tuchel’s bid for a second successive win to start his reign.