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Substitutes have been lighting up the scoreboards at the World Cup with dazzling performances that have sparked their teams back to life and secured wins or draws that have made their coaches look like geniuses.When Germany fell 2-1 behind to Ghana late in the second half of their Group G match, Miroslav Klose came off the bench to equalise with his first touch less than two minutes later.
Klose’s goal not only saved his team from humiliating defeat but it was also the striker’s 15th World Cup goal, putting him level with Brazil’s Ronaldo atop the all-time scorers list.
An unusual accomplishment for a bench warmer? Not at this World Cup.
There are several theories as to why there have been so many goals scored by substitutes at the finals in Brazil.
The record-breaking 24th goal was scored on Tuesday and 18 percent of the total 133 goals scored after the last group stage match on Thursday were by substitues.
The previous World Cup record for goals scored by players off the bench was 23 in 2006 – or 16 percent of 147 goals.
By comparison, in 2010 in South Africa 15 of the 145 goals (10 percent) were scored by substitutes.
Some coaches have talked openly about the need to have 14 top players – not just the starting XI – primed and ready for action in this tournament in part due to the tropical heat.
Online Reporter
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