England coach Thomas Tuchel is calm before the match against DR Congo at the World Cup

The German team has officially left the World Cup. Brazil had to work very hard to overcome Japan, while the Netherlands was also eliminated. The traditionally strong teams of world football are facing major challenges from underrated opponents and emerging teams. England coach Thomas Tuchel is not worried about this at all. "I think this can help us calm down. They are just very tense matches and this helps us not to have too many expectations. It helps us understand correctly what is happening in the World Cup and world football," Tuchel shared ahead of the round of 32 match against Congo in Atlanta next Wednesday. England are the favorites against a Congolese team that has never made it to the knockout stage and is also participating in the World Cup for the first time since 1974. However, Tuchel, who was criticized after a goalless draw with Ghana in the group stage, said the gap between international teams was narrowing. This was proven when the German team, four-time world champions, lost to Paraguay in a penalty shootout. The Brazilian team, with five championships, needed a goal in injury time to come back and beat Japan 2-1. Previously, Cape Verde shocked European champions Spain by holding them to a goalless draw, while Congo drew 1-1 with a Portuguese team featuring Cristiano Ronaldo. "It's difficult for any team to break down their opponents' defence, especially when you come in as favourites. Especially when you play against teams with nothing to lose," Tuchel said. "For me and the team, this helps us be calmer, accept the situation and make the best of what we can." While Morocco's victory over the Netherlands in the penalty shootout was no surprise, the African champions have quickly become a serious contender at the World Cup. Congo are a long way from that peak, but they go into the match with England without fear. "It is true that we are facing a difficult match, but there is nothing that we cannot overcome. We have proven this against teams that are considered superior, that we can play well," said coach Sébastien Desabre. "So we're focusing on our strengths, we're going in the right direction and when you get to this stage in the league, things are difficult for everyone." Despite mixed reactions to England's performance so far, they still top the group with an unbeaten record of two wins and a draw. Tuchel said he was determined to please the fans and had no problem with the expectations of a country that has not won a trophy since winning the World Cup in 1966. Tuchel, a successful coach from Germany, was hired with the aim of breaking that trophy drought. "I love situations like this. I feel it is a privilege to be in these situations. We can accept that. We are the favourites. We are up against our own expectations," he said. "We want to go beyond the round of 32. That's obvious. So why don't our fans expect that? Why doesn't the public have the same opinion?" Reported by Associated Press.

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