England’s No. 10 picked up a yellow card just before the break and could have easily picked up a second after a robust challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis in the second half, but referee Orel Grinfeld decided not to go to his pocket again.
The midfielder was replaced by Phil Foden shortly after the tackle and Tuchel did not want to risk his star man thereafter.
“I do not know if he was fortunate [not to pick up a second yellow card],” said the England manager.
“I think the first one was a bit harsh because I felt that he was dribbling and suddenly we had a yellow card, and we had some nasty fouls from the opponent where the referee just decided to look away.
“I felt a bit strange to be going to half-time with a yellow card with none of our opponents [having one] but okay.
“And the second one, I think it was possible [it could have been a second yellow card]. I felt that it was possible, it would have been harsh, but it would have put the game upside down so straightaway we decided to take him out.”
Three goals and three points for the #ThreeLions 👏
A solid start to our @FIFAWorldCup qualifying campaign under Thomas Tuchel. pic.twitter.com/YqgoHlNzFr
— England (@England) March 24, 2025
The 51-year-old former Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich boss was pleased with the Real Madrid midfielder’s performances over the last two games – he played all of England’s 2-0 win over Albania on Friday, assisting Myles Lewis-Skelly’s goal – but felt two lots of 90 minutes was slightly beyond him.
“In general, you could see today the huge effort that Jude put in in the first game,” continued Tuchel.
“I think you could see that he did not feel so fresh, that was my observation, I am not sure if he will agree. The substitution was because he was getting stronger and stronger again, but I did not want to take the risk and took him off.”
Maiden England goals from Reece James – courtesy of a stunning free-kick – and Eberechi Eze sandwiched a Harry Kane strike to settle the game in the hosts’ favour and send them top of Group K in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Tuchel was particularly impressed with the Chelsea man and is glad to have him fit and firing again.
He added: “There cannot be any doubt about Reece’s quality, it is the highest level. We knew that he was in good shape. We knew that he was in a good space mentally and that has been proved.
“He was very positive throughout camp and full of quality and that showed today on a pitch.”
England are next back in action in June when they travel to Andorra in search of a third World Cup qualifying win.
