Some substitutions that were impactful on football have been revealed and it will be spotlighted in this article.
Substitutions are timely changes to a football game, with managers replacing players to aid their teams.
Some players are tagged “super-subs” due to how impactful they are as substitutes, with them usually being go-to options for coaches whenever they need a breakthrough in a game.
Mario Gotze (Germany) Vs Argentina, 2014 FIFA World Cup final
In the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, Mario Götze replaced Miroslav Klose in the 88th minute by manager Joachim Löw and he went on to net the match-winner in extra time.
Rodrygo Goes (Real Madrid) Vs Manchester City, 2022 UEFA Champions League Semi-final
The Brazilian was introduced in the 68th minute for Toni Kroos and he helped Real Madrid in their 6-5 win over Manchester City in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Los Blancos were on the brink of elimination before Rodrygo made the scoreline 5-5 to push the game to extra time.
Karim Benzema completed the comeback for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, helping them secure a 3-1 win over Manchester City. Los Merengues had initially lost the first leg 4-3.
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) Vs Barcelona, 2019 UEFA Champions League Semi-final
Wijnaldum’s brilliance was witnessed in one of the greatest comebacks in the competition’s history, as a quick-fire brace helped Liverpool record a 4-3 aggregate win over Barcelona at Anfield.
The Reds had initially lost 3-0 to Barcelona in the first meeting at Camp Nou and needed a miracle to go through to the final.
Georginio Wijnaldum had come on to replace defender Andrew Robertson in the 46th minute.
Eder (Portugal) Vs France, 2016 UEFA European Championship Final
Eder smashed Portugal to the foot of glory in an intense encounter played at the Stade de France.
France were submerged in front of their home fans as Eder netted the decisive goal of the affair in extra time.
Eder was a second-half introduction, who replaced Benfica star Renato Sanches in the 79th minute.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) Vs VfL Wolfsburg In A 2015 Bundesliga Match
Bayern Munich had gone behind at the Allianz Arena courtesy of a goal from Daniel Cagligiuri in the 26th minute.
Robert Lewandowski had started from the bench in the fixture, with manager Pep Guardiola opting to start Mario Gotze up front.
Following the start of action in the second period, Lewandowski was sent on into the fray, replacing Thiago Alcantara.
Fascinatingly, in the space of 9 minutes, Robert Lewandowski recorded 5 goals for Bayern Munich, helping them secure a 5-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg.
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) Vs Colombia, 2024 Copa America Final
Martinez showed his goalscoring prowess for Argentina in the final of the 2024 Copa America after replacing Julian Alvarez in extra time.
Lautaro Martinez netted the decisive goal of the game against Colombia, as Argentina picked up back-to-back Copa America titles.
Joselu (Real Madrid) Vs Bayern Munich, 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Semi-final
In the blink of an eye, Joselu turned the semi-final around for Los Blancos netting two quick-fire goals.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were trailing at the Santiago Bernabeu after Alphonso Davies had put Bayern Munich ahead in the 68th minute.
In search of an equalizer, Joselu replaced Federico Valverde in the 81st minute and the Spaniard went on to turn the game around, helping Real Madrid claim an aggregate 4-3 win over Bayern Munich.
Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City) Vs Aston Villa, Title Deciding Game Of The 2021/22 Season
The Cityzens were fidgeting after going behind in the final game of the season, which meant Liverpool would claim the title if they won their own game.
Manchester City had led the Reds with 1 point (90) to (89) going into the last game of the season.
Shockingly, Matty Cash put the Villains ahead in the 37th minute, before Philippe Coutinho doubled their lead in the 69th minute.
Pep Guardiola’s side were looking to get back into the game and then came the messiah, Gundogan.
Ilkay Gundogan replaced Bernardo Silva in the 68th minute, before halving the deficit for Manchester City in the 76th minute.
Two minutes later, Rodri brought the Cityzens on level terms before Gundogan scored the winner 9 minutes before the expiration of normal time.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United) Vs Bayern Munich, 1999 UEFA Champions League Final
Solskjaer cemented his legendary status at Manchester United with this goal, as he secured them the winner in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final.
Mario Basler had put the Bavarian giants ahead and with the game heading for its expiration, fans of the Old Trafford giants began losing hope of winning.
Substitute Teddy Sheringham equalized for Manchester United in the 1st minute of added time before another substitute, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bagged the winning goal in the 3rd minute of additional time.
Solskjaer was brought on to replace Andy Cole.
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) Vs Liverpool, 2018 UEFA Champions League Final
Gareth Bale assisted Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the final of the 2018 UEFA Champions League after coming from the bench to replace Isco in the 61st minute.
Karim Benzema had put Los Blancos ahead in the 51st minute following an error from goalkeeper Loris Karius.
Four minutes later, Mane equalized for Liverpool, before Gareth Bale scored a stunning overhead kick to put Real Madrid in front in the 64th minute.
Seven minutes before the culmination of the clash, Bale extended Los Merengues’ lead further.
Daniel Amokachi (Everton) Vs Tottenham Hotspur, 1995 FA Cup Semi-final
The Nigerian football icon caught the attention of many after subbing himself on while Everton were leading Spurs 2-1.
Manager Joe Royle was shocked that Amokachi had gone into the pitch without being sent on as forward Paul Rideout was struggling with an injury and was receiving treatment.
Surprisingly, Daniel Amokachi secured a brace in the game, as Everton smashed Tottenham Hotspur by 4-1. Ultimately, the Toffees claimed the FA Cup title, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the final.
Tim Krul (Netherlands) Vs Costa Rica, 2014 FIFA World Cup Quarter-final
Krul was introduced in the dying embers of extra time against Costa Rica in the last 8 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with the goalie replacing Jasper Cillessen.
Remarkably, Tim Krul went on to save two penalties during the shootout, with the Netherlands ultimately claiming a 4-3 win over Costa Rica.
That game made Tim Krul’s penalty-saving ability more pronounced.
Emiliano Martinez, Career Reawakening
His career took a new shift after he was brought on to replace Bernd Leno in Arsenal’s clash with Brighton during the 2019/20 season.
Martinez entered the fray after Leno picked up a knock and fascinatingly, his career has reached immense heights.
Emiliano Martinez, who subsequently joined Aston Villa in the summer of 2020, has gone on to win several trophies, including; 1 FIFA World Cup and 2 Copa America titles.
