Impact Players: Ranking the 11 Best Super-Subs in Football History

For football managers, it's not just the starting eleven who play a crucial role. The sport's unpredictability often demands a touch of extra class from the bench. Whether it's a pivotal final, a dramatic title race, or a relegation battle, squad depth proves essential for a team's success.

Many standout players have made their mark in crucial moments, showcasing their ability to deliver game-changing performances after coming off the bench. This article highlights some of those super-subs and their knack for scoring vital goals in the biggest moments.

11. Gunter Netzer

Career Span: 1963-1977

Borussia Mönchengladbach legend Günter Netzer was a key figure in the club's golden era of the early 1970s before joining a successful Real Madrid squad later in the decade. Despite winning two Bundesliga titles with his hometown club and two La Liga titles with Madrid, one of his most memorable achievements came from a substitute appearance in the DFB-Pokal.

Netzer, an attacking midfield maestro, had guided his team to the 1973 German Cup final. However, following the tragic death of his mother just days before the match, he was initially left out of the starting lineup due to emotional distress. With 20 minutes remaining, he was brought on and scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute, securing a 2-1 victory for his team. This win marked only the second of three German Cups won by Die Fohlen.

10. Daniel Sturridge

Career Span: 2006-2022

Daniel Sturridge, who shares fourth place with Nwankwo Kanu and Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the Premier League's all-time substitute goal rankings, scored 17 of his 76 goals in the competition after coming off the bench.

Though he never fully established himself as a starter at Manchester City or Chelsea, Sturridge had a standout period at Liverpool, where he netted 67 goals in 160 appearances. Unfortunately, recurring injuries and the emergence of other attacking options limited his impact and often relegated him to the bench. Ironically, had it not been for these injuries, Sturridge might have been celebrated not just for his substitute goals but for his role as a regular starter and prolific scorer.

9. Oliver Bierhoff

Career Span: 1986-2003

Oliver Bierhoff had a distinguished career as a striker, shining for clubs like Ascoli, Udinese, and AC Milan. Yet, his reputation as a super-sub was solidified during his time with the German national team. Despite a remarkable goal tally of 37 goals in 70 matches, Bierhoff's standout moment came in the Euro '96 final.

In a tense match against a formidable Czech Republic side featuring Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky, and Patrik Berger, the game was uncertain after Poborsky's penalty put the Czechs ahead. Bierhoff made his entrance with 20 minutes left and made an immediate impact, scoring the equalizer and then securing the victory with a Golden Goal in the 95th minute.

8. Wout Weghorst

Career Span: 2012-Present

Wout Weghorst has firmly established himself as a notable super-sub, particularly with his impactful performances in major tournaments like the 2022 World Cup and the European Championships two years later. During the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Weghorst made a significant impact after coming off the bench with 12 minutes remaining and his team trailing by two goals. He scored in the 83rd minute and then equalized in the 101st minute, although the Netherlands ultimately lost in a penalty shootout.

Determined to make his mark, Weghorst continued to shine during the Euro 2024 qualifiers, scoring a crucial late goal to secure a win against the Republic of Ireland. At the tournament itself, he came off the bench to score in the 83rd minute against Poland, contributing to the Netherlands' only victory in the group stages.

7. Nwankwo Kanu

Career Span: 1992-2012

Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu earned a special place in Arsenal’s history with his knack for scoring crucial goals from the bench during his time at the club from 1999 to 2004. Much like Olivier Giroud would later, Kanu made a significant impact as a super-sub, with his debut goal for Arsenal coming as a game-winner against Derby County. He also scored key goals off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur.

In total, Kanu netted 17 goals as a substitute for Arsenal, with seven of these coming in his first two seasons. His knack for making a difference continued at Portsmouth, where he added his final four league goals from the bench. Kanu’s career in England concluded with a memorable FA Cup victory in the 2007-08 season, capping off a distinguished playing career.

6. Javier Hernandez

Career Span: 2006-Present

Javier Hernandez, affectionately known as 'Chicharito,' was brought to Manchester United primarily as a super-sub. With star players like Robin van Persie and the irreplaceable Wayne Rooney ahead of him, Hernandez had to make the most of every chance he got.

He certainly delivered, scoring 19 goals as a substitute in the Premier League and 14 of those during his six seasons at Old Trafford. In total, Hernandez made only two more starts (80) than substitute appearances (78) in the English top flight. His 19 goals off the bench accounted for 36% of his total Premier League tally of 53 goals.

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5. Divock Origi

Career Span: 2012-Present

Like Hernandez, Divock Origi often found himself in a lower spot in the Premier League pecking order at his club. Despite the challenge of breaking into Liverpool's formidable front three—Salah, Mane, and Firmino—Origi embraced his role as a super-sub and became a fan favorite.

His Premier League debut saw him score a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer against West Brom after coming on in the 79th minute. In the same 2015-16 season, he made an impact against Aston Villa by scoring just 20 seconds after entering the field, marking one of the quickest goals from a substitute in Premier League history. Origi's knack for crucial goals didn’t end there; in a thrilling Merseyside derby, he seized a late opportunity to score after Virgil van Dijk's long ball hit the bar, sending Klopp into an iconic celebration on the pitch.

4. Olivier Giroud

Career Span: 2005-Present

Between 2016 and 2018, Arsenal fans witnessed some remarkable performances from Olivier Giroud coming off the bench. During these two seasons, the talented French forward scored 12 goals in the Premier League as a substitute, outstripping any other player in that timeframe.

In fact, 40% of Giroud’s Premier League goals were scored from the bench, many of which proved pivotal. Overall, he netted 21 goals as a substitute, with only one player surpassing him in this category. Arsène Wenger praised Giroud in 2017, highlighting his impact:

“Look at his numbers. The weight he has in the dressing room... he’s respected by everybody inside the club.”

3. Jermaine Defoe

Career Span: 1999-2022

Jermain Defoe holds the Premier League record for most goals scored as a substitute, with 24 out of his 162 total goals coming from the bench. Additionally, his 24 goals were scored in as many different matches, setting another league record.

With 15% of his total Premier League goals coming from substitute appearances, it was fitting that Defoe’s career began in this role. In his debut season (2001-02), six of his first eight goals were scored after coming on as a substitute for West Ham United. Defoe's remarkable journey came full circle when his final Premier League goal, scored as a substitute for Bournemouth against Watford in March 2018, extended his record to a legendary 24 goals.

2. David Fairclough

Career Span: 1975-1991

David Fairclough, a former Liverpool striker, made 154 appearances for the club, starting in just 92 of those games. Liverpool considers him the original super-sub, a title he earned through his impactful performances off the bench. Notably, Fairclough made a memorable impression in the 1977 European Cup quarter-final second leg against Saint Etienne.

By that time, the red-haired forward had already scored six goals as a substitute. His notable contributions included an 88th-minute winner in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in 1976, coming on for John Toshack in the second half.

After a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, Liverpool faced a tough challenge. Kevin Keegan's early goal was quickly equalized by Dominique Bathenay's stunning long-range strike. However, after John Toshack restored parity, Bob Paisley brought on 20-year-old David Fairclough. The young forward delivered a decisive blow, scoring an emphatic winner six minutes from time. Fairclough was known for his knack for scoring late, often being most lethal in the final 30 minutes of a match. Out of his total goals, 35 were scored from the 60th minute onward.

1. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Career Span: 1990-2007

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is etched into football history as one of the most iconic substitutes, with his moment of glory coming in the 1999 Champions League final. With just nine minutes remaining, the Norwegian "baby-faced assassin" made his mark by converting a Roy Keane header into the roof of Oliver Kahn's net in the 93rd minute, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Manchester United.

In the Premier League, Solskjaer was equally renowned for his impact off the bench. All 17 of his substitute goals came while wearing a Manchester United shirt, tying him with Olivier Giroud (at Arsenal) for the most goals scored as a substitute for a single club in the competition. Reflecting on his role as a super-sub, Solskjaer noted:

“Sir Alex knew that if he put me on the bench, I’d be angry but also fired up and ready to give everything when I came on. Not every sub does that. A lot of subs are sulky and hopeless on the bench. I wasn't, and nor was Alan Smith.”