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Quinones and the Right-Back Battle That Will Define England's Game
At 22:48 · chapter starts 21:40
The tactical focus sharpens as Joe Cole identifies the decisive individual duel of the England-Mexico match: whoever plays England's right-back against Quinones [1] — Joe Cole "Mexico's Quinones has 3 goals already and channels every dangerous counter through him. Joe Cole says England's right-back — Konsa or Spenc…" 22:10 . The Mexican winger is the top scorer in the Saudi League and has already hit 3 goals in the 2026 World Cup — and Cole says every threatening Mexican counter-attack goes through him down the left. The choice is between Ezri Konsa and Tariq Spence, and Cole argues both need to be exceptional in 1v1 defending. Alan Shearer notes that if Konsa plays, it brings John Stones back in, offering more defensive experience — while Gary Lineker wryly observes that England punditry now seems to revolve permanently around who plays right-back. Cole maintains his position: nullify Quinones and you've neutralised a quarter of Mexico's threat before a ball is kicked.
Mexico's Quinones has 3 goals already and channels every dangerous counter through him. Joe Cole says England's right-back — Konsa or Spence — is the single most important player against Mexico. Get that battle wrong, and 25% of England's defensive stability disappears instantly.
Mexico's Quinones had already scored 3 goals in the 2026 World Cup heading into the round of 16 against England.
Christopher Eccleston, a lifelong Manchester United fan, appeared in Elizabeth alongside Éric Cantona — and was so in awe of his idol that he couldn't speak to him on set. Cantona meanwhile was muttering his English lines to himself in fear. Even the fearless can be starstruck.
