Jude Bellingham has dragged England into the World Cup semifinals but criticism from manager Thomas Tuchel of his side's quality has sparked a fresh standoff between the pair before Wednesday's showdown against Argentina.
In the searing Miami heat against Norway on Saturday, England wilted and by Tuchel's own admission were "lucky" to escape an early flight home.
Bellingham rode to the Three Lions rescue by scoring twice, just as he did in a memorable 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico six days previously, to paper over the cracks in England's performance.
Norway believe Bellingham's first goal should have been disallowed for the ball hitting a camera while in the air earlier in the move.
In their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal, a controversial VAR call also went against the Norwegians at 1-1 in the second half when they had a goal ruled out for a push by star striker Erling Haaland before the ball entered play from a corner.
"Well done Bellingham and referee," Haaland's father and former Norwegian international Alf-Inge Haaland posted on social media.
Tuchel refused to bask in the glory of reaching just England's fourth-ever World Cup semifinal.
"We found a way into the last four. This is, of course, the most important but the analysing head of me and the football coach still thinks that we can and have played better football," said the German coach.
"No one ever denies that you need luck to go far in tournament football," he added. "It's just the way I felt."
'POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT'
That analysis did not sit well with Bellingham after both sides were forced to endure 120 minutes in brutal conditions, with high humidity aggravating the heat in South Florida.
Haaland was so exhausted he was even substituted in Norway's moment of need in the second half of extra time.
"Maybe he doesn't know what it's like to play in those kind of conditions," came Bellingham's riposte, seemingly taking aim at Tuchel's limited playing career.
"I think we've tried to create a positive environment and we should continue that going into the final four.
"I can't speak highly enough for the lads. You're not going to win every game popping the ball and making a thousand passes. Sometimes you have to win dirty and we've done that again."
It is not the first confrontation between the pair.
Bellingham's place in the side was in doubt coming into the tournament.
A year ago, Tuchel said even his own mother found some of Bellingham's on-field antics "repulsive" and he could at times intimidate his own teammates.
The former Chelsea manager later apologised and his actions have spoken louder than words in building a team around Bellingham and captain Harry Kane.
Tuchel left two other contenders to be England's number 10, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, out of his squad, while Morgan Rogers has been reduced to a bit-part role despite playing more minutes than Bellingham in qualifying.
That faith has more than been repaid as Bellingham and Kane have repeatedly produced big moments to keep their quest for a first major tournament win in 60 years alive.
Of England's 13 goals in the tournament, they have combined to score 12.
"It's pretty simple. Put Harry and Jude together and they will do the rest," Tuchel said.
"We need to get better in attacking to also bring other players into position, but, of course, they are decisive players, they love the responsibility, the quality, they show up in decisive moments, so there's nothing wrong with it.
"We don't need to be sorry for that, that these two guys play for us and decide the matches for us. It's impressive."
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