Harry Kane celebrates scoring England’s equaliser against DR Congo on Wednesday [Richard Callis/SPP]

BE prepared for an unproductive Monday, because England’s World Cup dream is moving into extra-time.

Fans are still recovering from the near shock, and then glorious salvation, that saw conquerer Harry Kane score two late goals to save the nation from being dumped out of the tournament by DR Congo on Wednesday.

The reward is lowering the pressure surrounding the Three Lions, but not in a good way.
England must now tackle joint-hosts Mexico, and the oxygen-sapping altitude at the infamous Azteca Stadium, in quite literally a breathtaking showdown – which is due to kick-off at 1am BST.

Bosses will have to forgive staff members when they arrive at work with bags under their eyes, while even England manager Thomas Tuchel has urged parents to let their children stay up till the early hours on Monday morning to watch the last-16 clash.

Asked by the media for his message to parents, Tuchel said: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch.

“There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone, especially the children.”

Mexico have won all four of their World Cup matches so far without conceding a goal.

But as Tuchel’s squad prepares to return to a stadium that will forever haunt English football history, it’s not El Tri’s form that will be keeping him up at night.

“I’m not sure we are ready because it’s a huge disadvantage for us because Mexico play there since the tournament started and they have adapted to the altitude,” stressed Tuchel. “We don’t have enough time to adapt. It’s a big disadvantage and I’m not sure if we get a lot of other disadvantages.

“I’m not sure if the travel will be smooth, if the sleep will be smooth, if there’s noise outside the hotel. 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.”
Fresh from saving the day again DR Congo, match-winner Kane said: “We spoke about people having hero moments, it could be anyone.

“It could be me, it could be a save, a block from the defenders; whoever it is we have hero moments. For me it was today.”

For those England supporters old enough to remember the 1986 World Cup, Monday’s monumental match in Mexico City is about more than just a place in the quarter-finals – it’s an opportunity to banish, or at least lightly sedate, past demons.

The last time England played at the Azteca they lost 2-1 to Argentina in the quarter-finals after Diego Maradona scored a double: the infamous “Hand of God” scandal, quickly followed by arguably the greatest goal ever scored in World Cup history.