World Cup 2018: 3 Substitutes Who Went On To Play Starring Roles 

Making substitutions is part of football and can either work for or against a team. It is never easy for a footballer to get into a match and make a significant impact from the substitute's bench. Managers usually make substitutions for various reasons.

It could be an injury to one of the on-field players, due to defensive or offensive tactics or simply as a means to wind down the clock if their team is leading. The 2018 FIFA World Cup has given fans a spectacle. It has truly been a tournament of upsets, game-changing decisions facilitated by video technology and a proper footballing showpiece.

Part of what made the World Cup special has been the substitutions made by managers in the hope of positively impacting the match. This was not the case for Sweden's Jimmy Durmaz. He was brought on to weather the German storm but ended up casually tripping Timo Werner in the fourth minute of extra time.

This dangerous free kick, conceded outside the box, had Toni Kroos rifle home the dead ball to give Germany a solid 2-1 comeback win in Group F. However, there are those substitutions that massively paid off. Some of these footballers initially were mere reserve players but grabbed the opportunity by the scruff of its neck.

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#3 Keisuke Honda

Honda became the first player from his country to score in three successive World Cups

The versatile Japanese man became the first player from his country to score in three successive World Cup tournaments. Japan head coach Akira Nishino opted to bench Honda for most of their matches.

Nishino gave priority to other younger players in the competition to fill up his midfield and attacking options. Honda, who burst onto the scene with an impressive debut World Cup in 2010, was the hero for Japan against Senegal. On June 24, 2018, Japan faced Senegal in the penultimate Group H round of matches.

Goals by Sadio Mane and Moussa Wague (71st minute) had given the Africans the edge in this match as they led 2-1. Japan needed to grab at least a point from this match to keep their hopes of clinching a last 16 berth alive.

Wague's goal prompted Nishino to bring on Honda barely a minute later. Six minutes into making the switch, Honda scored the equaliser from close range when he capitalised on Senegal's defensive lapse to force a 2-2 draw. Japan went on to qualify for the last 16.

#2 Nacer Chadli

Brazil v Belgium: Quarter Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

On July 2, 2018, Belgium had one of the most dramatic matches in the tournament against Japan. This was in the last 16 when Japan, despite little dominance of play, took a shocking 2-0 lead in the second half.

Goals by Genki Haraguchi (48th minute) and Takashi Inui (52nd minute) set Japan on course for another World Cup upset. When a star-studded Belgium took to the field in their opening match against Panama, Chadli was not part of Roberto Martinez's starting 11.

The attacking options of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Yannick Carrasco meant that Chadli could only be drafted in as a substitute. He has played in four of Belgium's five matches, mainly coming on as a substitute.

The tide of the match changed in the 69th minute when Jan Vertonghen and substitute Marouane Fellaini (74th minute) levelled matters for the side.

The match was destined for extra time when Belgium got on the quick break in the 94th minute with the chance opening up for Chadli. He coolly slotted home from a yard out to hand Belgium a hard fought 3-2 victory.

#1 Denis Cheryshev

Cheryshev scored four goals in five matches at the World Cup

In their opening match against Saudi Arabia, Russia lost their creative force Alan Dzagoev due to injury. Cheryshev replaced him and scored a sumptuous goal in 43rd minute to give Russia a 2-0 lead.

He tricked his way past three Saudi Arabia defenders, lifted the ball over one before rifling home. Cheryshev also scored a left-footed beauty in the 91st minute of that match. The break out star of the 2018 World Cup has to be Cheryshev who has impressed on all fronts for his country.

Injuries are part of the dark side of sports but it is the avenue that opened the door for Cheryshev. Hosts Russia went into the competition on the back of poor results and needed inspiration from somewhere to make the fans believe in the team again.

He was also on target as Russia beat Egypt 3-1 to advance to the last 16. He saved the best for last in what has been touted as the World Cup goal of the tournament. He scored the opening goal on July 7, 2018, during Russia's 2-2 draw with Croatia in the quarter-final.

Although the hosts lost 3-2 on penalties, Cheryshev's goal remains to be a masterclass. He curled in a 25 yard shot past the hapless Danijel Subasic in goal to finish the tournament on four goals.