Zlatan Ibrahimovic launched a scathing attack on Noni Madueke after England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway, accusing Thomas Tuchel of fielding a side that effectively played with a numerical disadvantage. The former Sweden striker, working as a pundit for Fox Sports, did not hold back in his assessment of the Arsenal winger's first-half display.
Madueke's Struggles in the First Half
Madueke was replaced at half-time after a difficult 45 minutes. He was caught offside early on after a cross-field pass from Declan Rice and later penalised for handball when failing to control a similar ball. England controlled the early stages but lost momentum after the first-half hydration break, with Andreas Schjelderup scoring an outrageous opener for Norway.
England equalised through Jude Bellingham's controversial goal, which Norway argued should have been ruled out for hitting a spidercam cable. Ibrahimovic, however, used the incident to mock Madueke's performance.
Ibrahimovic's Critique
“It changed a little bit because Jude Bellingham has been the most active player for England,” Ibrahimovic said. “But I think they’re playing with one player less so far. Madueke has been on the pitch, I have to say every time he gets the ball he makes the wrong decision, and he’s walking on the pitch. If I’m Tuchel I change him because he’s done nothing this first 45.”
He added: “Even the hydration break didn’t help him. He’s played but he’s not started every game, they started with one guy less.”
Spidercam Comparison
On the match officials failing to spot the ball hitting the spidercam cable before Bellingham's goal, Ibrahimovic said: “If it touched the cable, it touched the cable. But if it touched the cable, the cable had a better performance than Madueke, for sure.”
Tuchel's decision to start Madueke was contentious, especially given Bukayo Saka's strong performance in the previous round against Mexico. Saka's Arsenal teammate failed to justify his selection, leading to Ibrahimovic's brutal verdict.
