Ezri Konsa has put England on the front foot before their Mexico vs England last-16 test, saying they are ready for the altitude, the crowd and the challenge that comes with playing at the Estadio Azteca. Mexico sit at 2,240 metres above sea level, and some England players even had hyperbaric chambers for oxygen therapy installed at their homes. Konsa's message was blunt: England believe they can handle it.

"Yes, definitely we'll be ready. We've got enough at the back to stop a counter. We've got good pace, we've got good strength at the back. Look, they're doing well, but we're here to make an upset and win the game on Sunday," Konsa said.

Mexico's record and England's response

The scale of the task is obvious. Mexico have scored 8 goals and conceded 0 in 4 World Cup matches, so this is not a side that needs much encouragement at home. Konsa still sounded convinced England can match them physically and deal with the moments that decide knockout games.

He also pointed to the work done in preparation. "We've done some work on that and we'll be ready for Sunday's game. They're playing at home in front of their crowd. We know how difficult it is going to be with their fans behind them. But, like I said, we're going to be ready and we're there to make an upset," he said.

Kane and the defensive base

Konsa was also happy to lean on Harry Kane's presence. "Of course, it's like Argentina with [Lionel] Messi and we've got that in Harry Kane here," he said. Kane posted an 8.5 in his most recent World Cup outing, and that sort of output gives England a real edge in a game likely to be tight.

Konsa's own recent World Cup numbers are solid too. He has a 7.2 rating in his latest run, with scores of 6.9, 7.2, 6.88 and 6.2 across his last four World Cup matches. England have also gone unbeaten in their last 4 World Cup matches, which is a decent platform before a match as awkward as this one.

The conditions will still be the headline. Azteca altitude, a hostile crowd and a Mexico side in strong form is a proper test, but Konsa has not sounded like a player looking for excuses. England go into England's meeting with Mexico on 6 July with a clear plan and a striker who can decide it.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →