England go into their last-32 tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo as overwhelming favourites, but in a World Cup which has seen upsets and late winners, manager Thomas Tuchel says there will be no over-confidence from his side against a team with nothing to lose.
Tuchel's England topped their group and on Wednesday come up against DR Congo, the best-ranked of the third-placed sides.
Already in the round of 32, Germany went out to Paraguay on penalties, as did the Netherlands at the hands of Morocco. Brazil needed a late winner to see off Japan and Norway did the same against the Ivory Coast.
"I think it can calm us down in a way," Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday.
"It's just narrow margins, it's tight football matches, and it helps us not to over-expect. It helps to put it in the right framework, what has happened in this World Cup and in world football.
"Teams are well-driven, teams defend at the highest level, teams are well prepared. And it's difficult for any team to break teams down, especially when you arrive as a favourite, especially when you face teams who have nothing to lose."
Bd-pratidin English/TR
