Tottenham defender Djed Spence has emerged as England's new 'cult hero' following two impressive substitute appearances at the World Cup, with his cameo against Norway drawing particular praise.
Match-Winning Cameos
Spence came off the bench in the 86th minute of England's 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway, replacing Nico O'Reilly. He played through extra time, almost forcing a late winner by closing down the goalkeeper and later winning a penalty that was overturned by VAR.
Standard Sport's Dom Smith awarded Spence an 8/10 rating, writing: "A very good display off the bench from him. Even though the penalty call was overturned, his wonderful run saw him win a spot-kick in extra time, or at least think he had. And he forced a fine save in extra time. A problem Norway couldn’t deal with."
Rising Popularity
Spence's performances have sparked a growing fanbase on social media, with fans dubbing him a 'cult hero'. This marks a turnaround from earlier criticism following his display against DR Congo. He has not started either of the last two games but has made crucial contributions off the bench.
Jude Bellingham scored both goals against Norway, his second consecutive brace after scoring twice against Mexico in the last 16. However, Spence's impact has captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike.
World Cup Semi-Final Push
Spence is now pushing for a starting spot in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina. His energy and direct running have made him a valuable asset for England as they aim to reach the final.
