England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that the high altitude of Mexico City's Azteca Stadium will be a significant obstacle for his team ahead of a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 showdown against co-hosts Mexico. Tuchel's comments came after England staged a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday to secure their place in the knockout stage.
Tuchel praises team's resilience after comeback win
Harry Kane scored a late brace to rescue England from the brink of elimination after Brian Cipenga's early strike had put DR Congo ahead. The victory ensured England will face Mexico in one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
"It is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, most exciting fixtures that you can have, to play against Mexico in the Azteca," Tuchel said after the match, according to Reuters. "There will be a lot of obstacles waiting for us, not to mention, the altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It's just impossible."
England's slow start proves costly
England were made to work hard for their place in the next round after DR Congo stunned them with a seventh-minute opener. Cipenga was left unmarked at the back post to convert a low cross, giving the African nation a dream start in their first-ever World Cup knockout match. Despite dominating possession, England struggled to break down a disciplined Congolese defence in the opening half. Jude Bellingham was booked for a late challenge, while goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi repeatedly denied Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford to preserve DR Congo's surprise lead at the interval.
Tuchel, however, never felt his side had lost belief. "This team today did not accept defeat as an outcome," Tuchel said, as per Reuters. "They just didn't accept it, and it makes me very proud because they did what was necessary. The going got tough today, and then they showed up, and we got the deserved win. We don't give in, we don't give in. That's what this team is about."
Tuchel's substitutions prove decisive
The England boss admitted his team's slow start had complicated the contest but insisted they were the better side after conceding early. "I think the halftime result was not a fair result," Tuchel said. "We conceded very early, which made things more complicated than they were already. I think we didn't get our press right in the first 15 to 20 minutes."
Tuchel's attacking substitutions proved decisive. Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka were introduced just after the hour mark, before Eberechi Eze also joined the attack as England increased the pressure. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute when Kane finished calmly from close range after sustained pressure inside the box. The England captain completed the turnaround in the 86th minute with another clinical finish, sending the Three Lions into the Round of 16.
Tuchel calls on young fans to support
Reflecting on the dramatic comeback, Tuchel praised his players' composure in the closing stages. "While you're trying to support and while you're trying to help from the sideline, you get this feeling that players are free, players are not anxious," he said. "They didn't play with fear, played with determination and then we just didn't accept it and we knew that these knockout matches were in this part of the tournament. You need to find a way, and then you find a way."
Looking ahead to Sunday's clash, Tuchel also appealed to young England fans to stay up and watch the knockout encounter despite it being played late back home. "Write an excuse for school and let them watch football," said the England head coach, according to DAZN Football. "They have so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch, there will be a big, big match in four days and we need the support of everyone and especially of the children."
