Thomas Tuchel makes England World Cup plea to parents ahead of next game against Mexico
After England only just squeezed past DR Congo, Thomas Tuchel is desperate for all the help he can get.
It was a nervy and dramatic World Cup knock-out tie in Atlanta on Wednesday (July 1) but England managed to overcome a spirited DR Congo.
Though, only just.
The Leopards made the Three Lions look like a bunch of scaredy cats in the first half, as they clawed ahead through Brian Cipenga's 7th minute strike.
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England lost their roar in a meek opening 45 and were remarkably lucky not to go two down when Yoane Wissa struck the post.
Thankfully, Thomas Tuchel's side came out after the break with added impetus and piled on the pressure, but it still took divine intervention from Harry Kane late on to secure the win.
The captain headed in the leveller before firing in a sensational second with four minutes remaining to save England's blushes.
Next up is a banana skin big enough for King Kong as England travel to Mexico to face the co-hosts on their home turf, and manager Tuchel wants everyone back home to cheer on his team.
Even if it's well past their bedtime.
Thomas Tuchel tells parents to let their kids miss school
After a nice and convenient kick-off time of 5pm for the last 32 match, England fans cheering on the team back at home have got a rude awakening, or a rude staying up, as it were, this time.
That's because England's last 16 tie with Mexico will take place at 1am on Monday morning, July 6.
Unlike Scotland, who were given a bank holiday for their early morning kick-off even though it was played on a Sunday, the English will still have to go to school and to work after the match.
Well, unless you pull an old sickie, which is exactly what Tuchel wants parents to do for their kids.
"Write an excuse for school. Let them watch football," Tuchel told parents after the 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."
The manager has spoken and school's out for the World Cup!
Tuchel warns about England's big disadvantage
After struggling so much against DR Congo, England could be in a lot of trouble in Mexico.
Not only will El Tri be cheered on by 80,000 rabid fans, are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, have never lost at the Azteca in the World Cup and have been defeated there in just two competitive games EVER, but the attitude will also be a massive factor.
Mexico City stands at 2,240 metres above sea level and high altitudes are incredibly difficult to move in, let alone play football, if you're not acclimatised, like England won't be.
Tuchel admits it will be a challenge for his side.
"The altitude will be a big disadvantage because we cannot physically adapt to it," he said.
"It just takes too much time. We have only three days in between these matches. It's physically just not possible to adapt to the altitude."
Daniel Murphy