Zlatan Ibrahimovic has heavily criticised Noni Madueke for his performance in England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway, suggesting the team effectively played with 10 men. England secured a 2-1 victory after extra time, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice, including the decisive goal, to send Thomas Tuchel's side into the semi-finals.
Madueke's struggles under scrutiny
Madueke, 24, failed to make an impact on the right wing. Early in the match, Elliot Anderson picked him out with a cross-field pass, but the winger sent his delivery straight out of play. He also struggled in one-on-one situations, repeatedly failing to beat his full-back.
At half-time, Ibrahimovic, on punditry duty for Fox Sports, did not hold back. "They're playing with one player less so far. Madueke has been on the pitch," said the former Manchester United striker. "But I have to say every time he gets the ball so far he makes the wrong decision and he's walking on the pitch. If I'm Thomas Tuchel, I change it because he's done nothing in this first 45. Even the hydration break didn't help him."
Gary Neville's technical analysis
Gary Neville also analysed Madueke's performance on the Stick to Football podcast. He explained why the winger's final ball let him down. "We had a coach at United called Jimmy Ryan, a really good technical coach," Neville stated. "Usually when a player doesn't cross the ball well, it's because their stride isn't right, their pacing running up to the ball. I think he's running too fast and doesn't slow himself down - he might be looking up too much, thinking he can pick someone out with a Beckham-style cross. On the run, at full pace, you've only really got three options: whip it in low across goal, pull it back low, or stand it up to the back post. You've got to know which one you're choosing before you get there, concentrate on your stride, and make it like a pass. I think he's sprinting too fast to cross it well."
Neville added his view on what makes world-class wingers effective. "They say wingers are unpredictable, as if that's some kind of positive - but the best wingers are the most predictable players in the world," he said. "Riyad Mahrez is going to cut back onto his left foot; Mohamed Salah is going to put it in the far corner; Thierry Henry's finish from the left; David Beckham will take it out of his feet and whip it in. You know exactly what they're going to do, and you still can't stop it. As a winger, you have to be a bit more predictable - you've got to have two or three things you do brilliantly."
England's semi-final opponents
Jude Bellingham scored both of England's goals as they came from behind to beat Norway 2-1, cancelling out Andreas Schjelderup's opener before netting the extra-time winner. The Three Lions will face Argentina in the semi-finals after Lionel Messi's side beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. The semi-final takes place on Wednesday, July 15, with kick-off at 8pm.
