Gareth Southgate's use of his bench was questioned as England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties.
The England boss saw substitutes Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all have their penalties saved by Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at Wembley, with Rashford and Sancho only brought on in the closing stages of extra-time specifically to take part in the shootout.
Even prior to the penalties, Southgate's in-game decisions were questioned.
Many wondered why he only introduced Saka and fellow sub Jordan Henderson late in second half when England were clearly tiring, and then questions were asked why Jack Grealish was only introduced in the first half of extra-time.
Henderson and Kyle Walker were then taken off for Rashford and Sancho, but the pressure applied to them as they came on to solely take a penalty proved to be too great.
Speaking after the match, Southgate said: “That’s (missing) always the risk that you run, but they’ve been by far the best and to get all those attacking players on the pitch you have to do it late.
“It was a gamble, but if we gambled early we may have lost the game in normal time anyway."
On BBC Sport, pundit Alan Shearer said: “It’s a big big ask.
"A big ask to put two players on with a minute to go to say you’re going to take a penalty for us.
"You’re under enough pressure anyway as a player but the extra pressure you’ve put on those individuals when you’ve had no feel of the football, not involved in the game at all and then you’re put in that situation. It’s a big big ask.
"I feel for Rashford, Sancho and Saka. It's a lot for those young boys to take on for the future. It's just so, so cruel."
On Italy's changes, he added: "Roberto Mancini changed things when it needed to be changed.
"Italy couldn't get in the pockets in the first half but they could in the second half. They found a way. You have to say congratulations to them. They got around it."
Former England defender Jamie Carragher was once brought on solely to take a penalty in England's 2006 World Cup loss to Portugal, and he tweeted: "Never easy to take a penalty, even more pressure when you’re brought on for that reason.
"England have had a great tournament but Italy just deserved it."
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand added: "Obviously, huge disappointment.
"But as you can see the fans clapping the players. They have brought us a joy, that definitely my generation and below have never felt watching an England team."
