Source : ABC NEWS
AP
Germany is out of the World Cup. Brazil was pushed to the edge by Japan and the Netherlands was sent packing.
Football’s traditional superpowers have been rattled by a combination of fearless underdogs and emerging forces who are shaking things up.
And England coach Thomas Tuchel has no issue with it at all.
“I think it can calm us down in a way. It’s just narrow margins. It’s just tight football matches and it helps us not to over expect. It helps to put it in the right framework what is happening in this World Cup and in world football,” he said ahead of England’s round of 32 game against Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.
England is the overwhelming favourite to advance against a team that is playing in the knockouts for the first time and is in its first World Cup since 1974.
But Tuchel, whose team was criticized after its goalless draw with Ghana in the group stage, said the gap is closing in international soccer.
That was evident as four-time world champion Germany lost a penalty shootout to Paraguay. Record five-time champion Brazil needed an added time winner to rally to a 2-1 victory against Japan.
Earlier in the tournament Cape Verde held European champion Spain to a goalless draw and Congo drew 1-1 with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
“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,” Tuchel said.
For me and for us it almost helps us to calm our minds, to accept the situation, and make the most of it.”
