Thomas Tuchel believes England's mentality heading into their Round of 32 clash with Congo DR has been helped by seeing Germany and Netherlands exit early. The Three Lions face the African side in Atlanta as strong favorites, but Tuchel stressed the unpredictable nature of knockout football.

Germany's loss to Paraguay and Netherlands' defeat by Morocco served as stark reminders that no matchup should be taken lightly. Tuchel noted these results demonstrate how tight margins decide games at this stage, with teams well-prepared and difficult to break down.

Congo DR, ranked 46th by FIFA, have never reached the knockout rounds before. However, England's labored performances against Ghana and Panama in the group stage suggest they cannot afford complacency. Tuchel emphasized maintaining a humble approach and focusing on their own performance rather than rankings.

Reece James and Jarell Quansah will miss the match through injury, adding to England's selection concerns. Tuchel's message is clear: respect the opponent and embrace the underdog's mindset they'll face, as favorites often struggle against teams with nothing to lose.