Tuchel wary of altitude factor ahead of Azteca clash

England coach Thomas Tuchel has emphasised that "a lot, a lot" of obstacles await his side after they progressed to the last-16 with a 2-1 win over DR Congo.

England will face hosts Mexico in the Azteca on Monday after Harry Kane scored a brace to send them through.

"I'm just coming from this match, and trying to enjoy, but it is maybe one of the most beautiful fixtures, most exciting fixtures than you can have," Tuchel said of England's round-of-16 clash.

"You play against Mexico in the Azteca, and there will be a lot, a lot, a lot of obstacles waiting for us.

"Not to mention the altitude will be, of course, a big disadvantage, because we cannot physically adapt to it in four days. It's just impossible and more obstacles will maybe come.

"But we are ready for that, we need it maybe. We have the ideal platform now to genuinely believe that we are ready for that, and when the going gets tough, that we will find the answers."

Mexico have played all their games at the Azteca stadium which is located 2,240 metres above sea level while England have been based in Kansas City.

Ecuador, who lost to Mexico on Tuesday, have made an official complaint to FIFA after fireworks were let off outside their hotel the night before their last-16 game.

"I'm not sure if the travel will be smooth, if the sleep will be smooth, if there's noise outside the hotel," Tuchel added.

"OK, bring it on. It's a very beautiful and exciting fixture. There will be lots of obstacles but this team will be ready whatever it takes."

Tuchel praised his players and none more so than his "shark" Kane who helped England turnaround a 1-0 deficit.

"He's our captain, he’s our leader, and decides football matches with unbelievable finishes today twice. The second one was just a brilliant goal, [I am] and happy that he’s [our player]."

Kane himself was revelling in his "hero moment" as he saved England from one of their worst ever results on the global stage.

"I'm proud of the group, proud of the boys," he said. "We spoke before the game about how difficult this game would be.

"You’re coming up against a good team who defend and watch really well. They were dangerous in the counter-attack, as we saw in that first 20 minutes of the game.

"So we had to just grind a win out, and I thought we played some really good stuff after 25 minutes of the game.

"Their keeper made some incredible saves, to be fair to him, and you start to think maybe it’s just one of those days.

"But that’s where I’m most proud of the boys and myself as well, just to keep the belief, keep getting the ball into the right areas, and you know one of us will have our hero moment, and thankfully for me it was today."

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