7 Substitute Players who Changed World Cup History

by Spencer Toth - 5/11/2026

Substitute players who changed World Cup history Randal Kolo Muani France

Every player from the Sunday league to the World Cup wants to start the match, but sometimes they have to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench. Some players can take that personally and let it ruin their careers, while others use it as fuel when they get their moment to shine. Over the last century, the World Cup has produced some of the most legendary substitute appearances of all-time. These stars were left out of the initial XI, but went on to dramatically change the match and World Cup history as a result. These ultimate ‘super-sub’ stories will never be forgotten, and here are the top seven most impactful substitute appearances of all-time.

Get expert sports picks for every league and nearly every matchup on Doc’s free picks page.

#1 Mario Gotze, Germany: 2014 World Cup Final

When it comes to legendary World Cup substitutes, nothing tops what Mario Gotze did in the 2014 World Cup Final. Gotze started only three of Germany’s seven World Cup matches in 2014, with another three appearances off the bench. He was a solid depth player for the Germans, but was still low on the depth chart with other talented attackers in the squad.

In the 2014 World Cup Final, Germany and Argentina faced off, with Gotze named on the bench. Lionel Messi was searching for his first World Cup for Argentina, while Germany was looking to cap off a decade-long rebuild with their first World Cup since 1990. The legendary Miroslav Klose, who has the most World Cup goals in history, started the match, but eventually made way for Gotze in the 88th minute. It was the final World Cup appearance for Klose, which set the stage for Gotze to make history.

With the game still tied at 0-0 deep into extra time, it appeared as though the World Cup Final would be heading to a penalty shootout after a goalless draw. However, in the 113th minute, fellow substitute Andre Schurrle drove down the left side and crossed the ball into the box. Gotze controlled it with his chest and volleyed past the Argentine goalkeeper to win the World Cup for Germany. It was the ultimate dream for a substitute, as one match-winning shot etched Gotze’s name into German history books.

#2 Tim Krul, Netherlands: 2014 World Cup Quarterfinal

If Gotze was the best attacking substitute of all-time, Tim Krul is the best defensive one. With the Netherlands and Costa Rica tied at 0-0 heading into a penalty shootout, Dutch manager Louis van Gaal made a move that looked insane at the time. After a strong showing from starting goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, van Gaal made the decision to take him off in favor of Tim Krul. Krul had not played a minute in the match and was now being sent into a shootout with his nation’s semifinal hopes on the line. It worked perfectly.

Krul saved two penalties, including the fifth and final one from Costa Rica, sending the Netherlands into the semifinals. This was a new strategy not previously considered, making this iconic substitute one of the best managerial decisions of all-time. Krul became a World Cup hero for his performance without needing to touch the ball in open play. After spending 120 minutes watching from the bench, Krul came in, did his job, and the rest is history.

#3 Roger Milla, Cameroon: 1990 World Cup Round of 16
Roger Milla’s substitute appearance in 1990 didn’t just change the outcome of one match; it changed how the world viewed African football for generations to come.

At 38 years old, Milla arrived at the 1990 World Cup as an afterthought. He wasn’t expected to dominate the tournament; he didn’t start most matches and was looking for one last dance. Instead, he became one of the most iconic figures in the tournament and World Cup history. He scored a pair of crucial goals for Cameroon against Romania in the group stage to send Cameroon into the knockout stages.

His defining moment came against Colombia in the Round of 16. He came into the match as a substitute in the second half and broke the deadlock with a pair of goals two minutes apart in the 106th and 108th minutes. He celebrated both with his iconic dance around the corner flag, sending Cameroon into the quarterfinals. They became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals thanks to Milla’s heroics.

#4 Randal Kolo Muani, France: 2022 World Cup Semifinal and Final

Randal Kolo Muani’s 2022 World Cup campaign got off to a slow start, but the action heated up in the final moments of the 2022 World Cup.

First, he made an immediate impact in the semifinal against Morocco. With France up 1-0, Kolo Muani was given the final ten minutes of the match. He made an immediate impact with a goal 44 seconds after stepping on the pitch, sealing the 2-0 win for France. It was one of the fastest substitute goals in World Cup history, but his story was just getting started.

In the World Cup final, France looked lifeless for most of the match before Kolo Muani came on. Facing a 2-0 deficit with ten minutes to play, Kolo Muani won a penalty that Kylian Mbappe converted to give France a lifeline. France ended up tying the match to send it to extra time, thanks to Kolo Muani’s addition.

Of course, his cameo appearance is also remembered for what he was unable to do, as he had a chance to win the World Cup in the dying second of extra time with a clear look at goal. Emiliano Martinez pulled off one of the best saves in World Cup history against Kolo Muani, allowing Argentina to eventually win on penalties. Kolo Muani was still one of the best substitutes in World Cup history, but is still left with a haunting ‘what if’ moment that will never be forgotten.

#5 Alessandro Altobelli, Italy: 1982 World Cup Final

Alessandro Altobelli’s World Cup Final was written thanks to a teammate's early injury. In the 7th minute of the 1982 World Cup Final against West Germany, Francesco Graziani was forced off due to injury. Altobelli was called on, and the rest was history.

It isn’t easy to come into the World Cup Final in the 7th minute with no time to prepare. However, Altobelli handled it perfectly and was effective throughout the match. In the 81st minute, Altobelli scored Italy’s third goal to give them a 3-1 victory, and while it technically wasn’t the winning goal, it certainly sealed the match. He was thrown into the biggest match in football almost immediately, and scored the goal that gave Italy their first World Cup in 44 years.

#6 Andre Schurrle, Germany: 2014 World Cup Knockout Stages

Everyone remembers Mario Gotze’s winning goal, but Andre Schurrle is the forgotten super sub of 2014. It wasn’t an easy path for Germany to reach the World Cup Final, and they needed Schurrle multiple times in this tournament. Schurrle only started twice for Germany in this tournament, and he got onto the scoresheet for the first time in the knockout stages against Algeria in the Round of 16. With the game tied at 0-0, Schurrle came in and broke the deadlock with his 92nd-minute goal in extra time. The performance earned him a start against Brazil in the semifinal, where he scored two goals as part of their famous 7-1 thrashing, before his crowning moment came in the World Cup Final. After darting down the left wing, he delivered an inch-perfect cross to Gotze, who took care of the rest. Not only did Schurrle have a role to play in the World Cup winner, but his reliability off the bench is why Germany got there in the first place.

#7 Richard Morales, Uruguay: 2002 World Cup Group Stage

Richard Morales’ legendary substitute performance is often overlooked, but it was one of the most heroic World Cup performances in history. Uruguay needed a win to reach the knockout stage, but found themselves trailing 3-0 at halftime against Senegal. Their World Cup hopes were dangling by a thread before Morales came in and changed everything.

After coming on at halftime, Morales scored 20 seconds into the half to spark a ridiculous comeback. Uruguay clawed it all the way back to 3-3, turning a seemingly dead match into one of the wildest group stage encounters of all-time. Morales had the chance to win it very late, but ultimately fell short. This substitute would rank even higher had Uruguay advanced, but it still can’t be overlooked as Morales was a textbook ‘super sub’.

Get free expert sports picks on every game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

Start:	May 12, 2026 @ 11:45 PM
Expert:	Griffin Murphy
Free $60 Account Sign Up

7 Substitute Players who Changed World Cup History

Most Recent Soccer Betting and Handicapping