5 players who came on as substitutes and were taken off in the same game
This Sunday, football fans around the world were treated to a unique spectacle. Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata was substituted off at extra-time during their Community Shield clash with Leicester City. Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho came out with a justification saying that “he was the shortest player on the pitch, and more high balls were coming into the box”.
Mata’s replacement Henrikh Mkhitaryan was 7 centimetres taller and did not participate in any aerial duel for the remainder of the game which United won 2-1. Nonetheless, Mata joins a short but unique list of players who have entered a professional football match as substitutes and found themselves substituted off before full time.
#5 Aaron Lennon (England and Tottenham Hotspur)
Match: England vs Portugal
Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2006 Quarterfinal
Substitution Order: David Beckham → Aaron Lennon → Jamie Carragher
51 minutes into their World cup quarterfinal clash against the Portuguese, David Beckham limped off with an ankle injury. It paved the way for the introduction of the then 19-year-old winger, Aaron Lennon. The Spurs wonder kid played his heart out, frustrating the Portuguese defenders on many an occasion.
11 minutes later, Wayne Rooney got sent off after the controversial fracas involving fellow Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. England saw out the game to penalties and Lennon was subbed off to bring in the experienced Jamie Carragher for the penalty shootout.
Carragher had to retake his penalty as he took the kick before the whistle was blown. The retaken penalty kick was saved by Ricardo as Portugal won.