Ezri Konsa of England
Ezri Konsa of England(Image: VCG via Getty Images)
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England manager Thomas Tuchel revealed that Ezri Konsa was suffering from hamstring cramps during the match against Norway.
The Aston Villa defender, who started at right-back on Saturday night, was substituted in the 89th minute.
He was replaced by Villa teammate Morgan Rogers, before Reece James moved to full-back to cover Konsa’s absence. Tuchel explained the reason for the substitution following England’s extra-time victory.
He said: "We made life for ourselves complicated, we had some players struggling with the heat. Ezri Konsa was one of them, cramps in his hamstring and with Declan, we made the decision to go more offensive at half-time.
"It was a bit of an offensive shift. I made the decision at 1-0 down and didn't want to go back on the decision. Even after the equaliser I thought this was the right signal to the team, to take up higher positions and more connections when Norway defends in a deep block.
"Knowing that Declan struggles after the last three days, he was most of the time in bed, I knew he could not survive the 90 minutes.
"I also knew there was the possibility of 120 so I didn't want to waste another change so I made the decision to take Declan out to avoid another change further on."
Tuchel also add that England - despite flying back to Kansas City - will now significantly reduce their training schedule as they prepare to enter the final week of the World Cup.
Argentina stand in England’s way of booking their place in the World Cup final, after Lionel Scaloni’s side beat Switzerland in their last eight clash.
Konsa's injury worry, meanwhile, comes after Villa lost Amadou Onana for the majority of next season after he suffered an ACL injury.
Onana's Belgian teammate Youri Tielemans missed their quarter-final defeat against Spain due to injury himself, with reports claiming it was a hamstring issue.
John Townley
John Townley
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