England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in the World Cup quarter-finals, with Jude Bellingham scoring the decisive goal following a 1-1 draw at the end of normal time
Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard
Noni Madueke struggled to make an impact for England against Norway(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ripped into Noni Madueke following his performance against Norway, suggesting England were effectively playing with 10 men. England went on to beat Erling Haaland's Norway 2-1 to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
However, Madueke came under scrutiny after struggling 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 could only send his delivery straight out of play.
He also endured a frustrating afternoon in one-on-one situations, repeatedly failing to beat his full-back. At half-time, Ibrahimovic, who was on punditry duty for Fox Sports, did not hold back in his assessment of the 24-year-old.
"They're playing with one player less so far. Madueke has been on the pitch," the former Manchester United striker said. "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 also weighed in on Madueke's performance on the Stick to Football podcast, explaining why the winger's final ball repeatedly let him down.
"We had a coach at United called Jimmy Ryan, a really good technical coach," he 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."
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Neville then shared his view on what makes the world's best wingers so 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," the ex-Manchester United captain added.
"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."
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 have discovered their World Cup semi-final opponents will be Argentina after Lionel Messi's side beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. The quarter-final had finished 1-1 at the end of normal time.
The semi-final will take place on Wednesday, July 15, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
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