England manager Thomas Tuchel has urged parents to let their children stay up to watch the Three Lions’ blockbuster FIFA World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico, insisting the tournament is a rare occasion worth sacrificing a few hours of sleep.
England booked their place in the Round of 16 after Harry Kane struck twice in the final 15 minutes to inspire a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo. They will now face tournament co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 1am BST on Monday.
The late start presents a dilemma for families in England, with children facing school the following morning. Tuchel, however, had a simple message for parents.
“Let them watch football,” he said after England’s victory.
“There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. There will be a big, big match on in four days. We need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”
TUCHEL MISSED MEXICO’S WIN OVER ECUADOR
Ironically, Tuchel did not watch England’s next opponents secure their place in the knockout stage. Mexico’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador was delayed by an hour because of adverse weather around Mexico City, prompting the England manager to stick to his unusually early World Cup routine.
“I was happy to watch the first half and then it wasn’t on, and I slept at 10 o’clock,” Tuchel said.
“Very unusual for me, but I have somehow a crazy early bedtime during this World Cup and I didn’t see it. I saw the result, of course, and I saw that they didn’t concede, and it will be a tough one.”
England’s coaching staff have since begun analysing Mexico ahead of what promises to be one of the biggest ties of the tournament.
PROUD OF ENGLAND’S FIGHTING SPIRIT
Tuchel was particularly pleased with the way England responded after falling behind against DR Congo, with Kane scoring in the 75th and 86th minutes to complete the turnaround.
“Things stayed difficult but this team today did not accept a defeat as an outcome,” Tuchel said.
“They just didn’t accept it, and that makes me very proud because they did what was necessary.
“The going got tough, and they showed up, and we got a deserved win, even if it was a late one.”
England have often been criticised for crumbling under pressure at major tournaments, but Tuchel believes this squad showed a resilience that has been missing in previous generations.
“I did not see any of that today and it would be so easy to see it,” he said.
“It would be so easy to give in, and it would be so easy to accept that narrative. I didn’t see any of that, and that is a very, very good sign.”
TOUGHEST TEST AWAITS AT THE AZTECA
England’s reward is a daunting trip to Mexico City, where they will face a Mexico side that has won all four of its World Cup matches without conceding a goal.
The Three Lions will also have little time to adjust to the high altitude at the Azteca Stadium, a challenge Tuchel has already admitted is impossible to fully prepare for.
Despite the obstacles, the England manager believes his side is mentally ready for the challenge.
“More and more obstacles will maybe come, but we are ready for that,” Tuchel said.
“We need it. Maybe we have the ideal platform now to genuinely believe that we are ready for that.”
Kane’s late brace also took his tally to five goals at the tournament, leaving him one behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
Tuchel believes the world’s elite forwards share one defining quality.
“They’re all sharks,” he said. “If they smell blood, they come and score.”
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