Three Nigerian-born players – Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka – have received varying scorecards for their personal efforts during England’s stunning 2-1 victory over Norway in the semi-finals of this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Sports247 reports that, although all three play for Arsenal in the English Premier League, their ratings for Saturday’s game in Miami, Florida were divergent, as Madueke started the game but was yanked off at half time, while Eze’s impact was largely ineffective after going on.
While Eze and Madueke but scored 5/10 on the analysts’ rate cards after the historic game that took The Three Lions back to the World Cup’s last-four, which they last reached at Russia 2018, Saka made better pickings on the night, as the left-footed winger earned 7/10 for his input.
The ratings by BBC Sport for each of the three Nigerian-born players noted, “Noni Madueke (45 minutes): A few good early opportunities to take his man on but did not make the most of them. A disappointing first half and taken off at half-time. 5.
“Eberechi Eze (46 minutes): Brought on to provide a spark to England’s midfield as they looked for a way through the stubborn Norway defence. The change did not work and he was later shifted to the left wing. 5.
“Bukayo Saka (46 minutes): Came on at half-time as Thomas Tuchel looked to take control of the game while also managing Saka’s minutes. The Arsenal winger put in two dangerous crosses, which deserved to be put away. He also put in two excellent defensive tackles. 7.”
Meanwhile, Swedish legend, Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasted Madueke, saying he felt England were playing with ‘one guy less’ while the former Chelsea winger was on the pitch, as he again got the nod to start ahead of Saka, but he struggled to find any rhythm against Norway’s tight defence.
By the time the end of first half whistle blew, Madueke had failed to create a single chance and Ibrahimovich declared: “I have to say every time he gets the ball he makes the wrong decision, and he’s walking on the pitch. Even the hydration break didn’t help. They played with one guy less.”
Sports247 reports further that, while Madueke and Eze struggled for form, Jude Bellingham made all the difference, as he scored once in the first half and two minutes into the first period of extra time to seal England’s 2-1 win.
His teammates looked exhausted and beaten but Bellingham simply refused to give up and his brace of goals, for a second straight game at this year’s Mundial, took England to the semi-final in Atlanta, where they will face Argentina on Wednesday for a spot in the ultimate game.
