England head coach Thomas Tuchel describes the World Cup knockout stage as “the third chapter” in a story he hopes will end in the glory of a historic triumph.
Tuchel explained that phase one of his stated mission to bring the trophy to England for the first time since 1966 was the preparation training camp in Miami, followed by qualification for the last 32 by topping Group L.
“Chapter Two” was satisfactory rather than gripping, with wins against Croatia and Panama either side of a dismal goalless draw with Ghana.
England have now entered dangerous territory where one slip or one below-par performance can bring Tuchel’s tale to a painful end.
They face DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday (17:00 BST), live on BBC TV, with warning signs already posted to the bigger nations that this is becoming the World Cup of shocks.
Tuchel’s players will at least be spared this city’s brutal heat and stifling humidity by the closed roof and temperature control inside the space-age $1.6bn (£1.2bn) Atlanta Stadium.
England’s World Cup quest has so far been a case of “job done” – but now it all goes on the line in the sudden-death environment of knockout games.
