With the business end of the World Cup now upon us, the competition is undoubtedly intensifying. With the potential for extra time and of course penalties in the latter stages, substitutions are now more important than before.
This year's competition has produced some shocking results, but most of the countries originally tipped to be in with a chance of winning it all still remain in the competition. The quarter-finals begin with a crunch game between Croatia - who've ridden their luck so far - and tournament favourites Brazil at the Education City Stadium on Friday. Louis van Gaal's Netherlands side then take on Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Saturday presents even more action. Surprise package Morocco take on Portugal before Gareth Southgate's Three Lions face their toughest opponent yet in the current holders, France.
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We've already seen two games at the tournament end on penalties, as both Croatia and Morocco secured their places in the last eight with respective victories from 12 yards. As playing 120 minutes of football at the highest level can be physically exhausting, neutrals may be wondering what the rules around substitutions are for the remainder of the tournament. With that in mind, let's take a look.
General substitution rules
Managers used to have three substitutions at their disposal, but that has changed in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in most domestic leagues and at this World Cup, they're allowed five substitutions in regulation. Not counting half-time, managers have three separate times to make these changes throughout the game in order to prevent potential time-wasting towards the closing stages of a tight contest.
Managers are allowed an extra substitution if a game goes to extra time, bringing the total to six should a game need two more 15-minute periods to find another goal.
Concussion substitutions
In the event a player suffers a concussion in a game, the substitution a manager makes does not count towards the five subs. Theoretically then, a manager could make as many as seven substitutions in a game if there was a concussion situation and extra time in one match.
If a concussion substitution does happen, the opposing team also receives another substitution to maintain balance.
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