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England will be looking to knock FIFA World Cup co-hosts Mexico out on Sunday -Credit:Richard Pelham, Getty Images
Ezri Konsa maintains England's backline has the quality to neutralize Mexico's red-hot attack - despite another unconvincing defensive showing against DR Congo.
The unstoppable co-hosts have rattled in eight goals across their four FIFA World Cup games without allowing one past their keeper.
However, Konsa, who wants the Three Lions to welcome their underdog label, is fully prepared for the challenge at the Estadio Azteca, among soccer's most iconic venues, as per The Mirror.
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When asked whether England can halt El Tri's dangerous front line, he said: "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.
"I've got a great relationship with Marc [Guehi] at the back and whoever I play with I enjoy each moment. I thought the last game against Panama we were a bit too exposed at the back. But I thought today we kept that shut.
"They had a chance to go 2-0 up in the first half with [Yoane] Wissa hitting the post. But there are always things to improve on, and I'm sure that's what we're going to do, going into this weekend's game."
At the opposite end, Konsa recognizes England have the attacking weapons to be dangerous. Especially with their lethal striker and captain Harry Kane, who has now overtaken the legendary Pele (12) for World Cup goals (now 13).
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His 86th-minute rocket to shatter DR Congo's hopes in the Round of 32 marked his 20th goal at major tournaments. The Aston Villa center-back continued: "Of course, it's like Argentina with [Lionel] Messi and we've got that in Harry Kane here.
"We know his qualities. We know how many games he can score in. That's his job. That's what he does. He loves scoring goals and we love watching him score goals."
He further commented on Kane's emotional post-game huddle: "He was just telling us to enjoy the moment. We had to grind it out today and that's what we did - to enjoy the moment and celebrate it."
Mexico, however, presents an entirely different challenge due to the altitude, with Estadio Azteca situated 2,240 metres above sea level.
Despite the hurdle, which Thomas Tuchel acknowledged as a clear "disadvantage," Konsa remains firmly convinced that a quarter-final berth is very much attainable.
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He said: "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."
Several England players had hyperbaric chambers for oxygen therapy installed at their residences. Konsa was not among them, noting: "Each to their own. Everyone is different. Everyone handles heat differently.
"We've done that here, we've worked on it before, and we'll be fine. We'll go to the game full of confidence and we'll be ready."
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