Thomas Tuchel praised his side's belief after making a stunning comeback against DR Congo to win 2-1.
England went behind inside the opening seven minutes thanks to Brian Cipenga's strike, but a Harry Kane brace means the Three Lions will play Mexico in the last 16.
Tuchel made some bold moves in the second half, bringing on Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, which proved brilliant.
Speaking afterwards, the German told the BBC: "We would have liked it [to be less stressful], but if everyone gets what he likes, then everyone gets an early goal, and another goal, and an easy afternoon.
"That's not how it is. You have to deal with the situations as they come.
"After the first water break, there were three, four, five, big chances we had, I think a penalty situation maybe in our favour, and we kept knocking.
"Kept knocking, knocking, knocking to crack that rock and to make it happen.
"Their goalkeeper had unbelievable saves, so it got more and more difficult, but the reaction and the belief was one-of-a-kind, and they were ready to keep doing what was necessary to do, and we found a way to win. Well deserved, by the way."
Kane praised his side for the way they dug in to qualify for the last 16.
"It feels amazing to be honest. What a crazy game. First and foremost we're playing against a tough and organised team. After that first hydration break, we upped the level.
"The keeper made some unbelievable saves. But keep going and the moments would come.
"Whoever it is, we have hero moments. You have to stay patient in these games. The last couple of games were very similar.
"The pressure is higher. But it's about being ourselves. From an attacking point of view, it's the best performance so far.
"We are in the part of the tournament where we have to grind wins out.
"I just told the boys to enjoy it. Sometimes as an England player, you don't celebrate how you should.
"The same as every other nation, we're through - enjoy it. Over the 90 minutes, we're tough to handle."
Kane thought he was owed a penalty near the end of the first half when he was clipped by Lionnel Mpasi, but the referee and VAR disagreed.
He did not let it disrupt him, with two fabulous goals in the last 15 minutes.
When asked if Kane had surpassed his own expectations, Tuchel said: "That's what we expect from him, so what we expect from him I think is what he expects from himself.
"Difficult matches, close matches, Harry's here to decide them at top level."
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