Thomas Tuchel has described the World Cup knockout stage as "the third chapter" in a story he hopes will end with England's first trophy since 1966. But after a group stage that was "satisfactory rather than gripping", England now enter dangerous territory where one slip could end the dream. With injuries to key defenders and a potential last-16 tie against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium, Tuchel must show his hand and get his selections right.
England qualified top of Group L, with wins against Croatia and Panama and a goalless draw with Ghana. Now they face DR Congo in the last 32 in Atlanta on Wednesday (17:00 BST, live on BBC TV). The match takes place in the $1.6bn (£1.2bn) Atlanta Stadium, which has a closed roof and temperature control to shield players from the brutal heat and humidity. A win would set up a daunting trip to Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, where Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to extend their unbeaten run to four matches with clean sheets in every game.
“England face a World Cup knockout battle with injuries and a potential Mexico City clash”
This World Cup has been full of shocks, and England are vulnerable. Former captain Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport: "The area of the pitch you want stability in is your goalkeeper and back four. With the back four we haven't had that." Defensive injuries have plagued Tuchel's squad: Newcastle's Tino Livramento was ruled out before the tournament, Chelsea captain Reece James suffered a hamstring injury against Croatia, and his deputy Jarell Quansah was injured against Panama, leaving England's resources at right-back extremely light. The Standard described the situation as "a problem of the head coach's own making", with Tuchel forced into a gamble to keep the World Cup dream alive.
For UK fans, the stakes are high. If England beat DR Congo, the Mexico match is scheduled for Sunday, July 5 at 6pm local time, which is 1am Monday morning in the UK. That means either burning the midnight oil or watching on delay. Beyond the late kick-off, Mexico City's altitude presents a gruelling physical obstacle: the Azteca sits at more than 2,200 metres above sea level, where thinner air saps players' energy more quickly. England have played at the Azteca twice at World Cups, both in 1986: they beat Paraguay in the round of 16 thanks to a Gary Lineker brace, then lost 2-1 to Argentina in a match infamous for Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and his stunning solo effort.
Q: What time is England vs Mexico if they beat DR Congo? The match is scheduled for Sunday, July 5 at 6pm local time in Mexico City, which is 1am on Monday morning in the UK.
Q: Why is altitude a concern for England at the Azteca? The Azteca Stadium is more than 2,200 metres above sea level. The significantly thinner air makes players tire more quickly, which can be a major disadvantage for visiting teams.
Q: What happened the last time England played at the Azteca in a World Cup? In 1986, England played two matches there: a 3-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16 (Gary Lineker scored twice), and a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Argentina, where Diego Maradona scored the "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century".
What happens next is simple: England must first beat DR Congo on Wednesday to reach the last 16. If they do, they face Mexico on July 5. Tuchel will need to solve his defensive puzzle and cope with the altitude and atmosphere of the Azteca to keep England's story alive.