Julian Quinones has openly questioned Mexico coach Javier Aguirre’s decision to substitute him during their World Cup last-16 defeat to England, saying in a video message: “Oh yes… the old man got the substitutions wrong.”
The Al-Qadisiyah striker, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia, spoke about the controversial change that saw him replaced late on in Mexico’s 3-2 loss to England at the 2026 World Cup – a result that sent El Tri out of the tournament.
The match, in which Quinones scored Mexico’s opening goal, was England’s narrow victory in the round of 16 and has since been heavily debated among Mexican fans and pundits.
‘The old man got the substitutions wrong’
In a video posted on his Instagram account, Quinones recalled his reaction to Aguirre’s decision while speaking to his tattoo artist about the game.
Referring to the moment he saw his number on the board, the forward is quoted by ESPN as saying: “Oh yes.. لقد اخطا العجوز في التبديلات” – “Oh yes.. the old man got the substitutions wrong.”
The switch came in the 81st minute, when Aguirre brought on Guillermo Martinez in place of Quinones.
The move drew strong criticism given Quinones’ form in the tournament and his impact in the match itself, where he had been one of Mexico’s most threatening players against England’s defence.
Late change under scrutiny
Aguirre’s decision to withdraw his in-form forward with Mexico still pushing for a result has become a key talking point in the aftermath of the defeat.
Quinones had given Mexico hope by scoring their first goal of the evening, and his pace and movement had troubled England throughout. Many fans and analysts argued that taking him off blunted Mexico’s attacking edge in the closing stages, when they were chasing the game.
The controversy has been amplified by the wider context of Mexico’s long-standing struggles in the World Cup knockout rounds and the emotional nature of yet another last-16 exit.
Record-equalling World Cup for Quinones
Despite the disappointment of elimination, Quinones ended the World Cup as one of Mexico’s standout performers.
He scored four goals at the tournament, equalling the national team’s all‐time World Cup scoring record jointly held by Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Luis Hernandez.
In addition to his goals, he provided one assist, meaning he was directly involved in five goals across Mexico’s 2026 campaign – underlining his importance to Aguirre’s side throughout the competition.
Pride despite painful exit
Quinones stressed that, regardless of the defeat to England, he leaves his first World Cup with a sense of pride over what he and his team achieved and the support they received.
He highlighted the extraordinary reaction from Mexican supporters in the United States, where the 2026 tournament is being staged in part, and the intensity of the atmosphere surrounding the team.
“كنت متحمسا للغاية باللعب للمنتخب؛ كانت الاجواء جنونية لدرجة اننا لم نكن نستطيع السير في المطار” – “I was extremely excited to play for the national team; the atmosphere was so crazy that we could not even walk in the airport,” he said.
For Mexico, the debate over Aguirre’s late substitution and Quinones’ remarks is likely to continue well beyond the tournament, as attention turns to the future of both the coach and one of the team’s new World Cup record‐equallers.
