Noni Madueke's Miss Sparks Social Media Backlash After England Win

Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins may have wrapped up a comfortable win, but the post-match spotlight swung sharply onto Noni Madueke and one glaring first-half miss that social media simply refused to let go.

The winger passed up a golden chance, then appeared to laugh it off. That reaction did not land well.

On X, the backlash was instant and unforgiving. @cooksbits wrote: "Hopefully that’s the last we see of him this World Cup. Does ANYONE think he should be there?"

The tone set there only hardened. " Laughing and smiling about it send him back and get foden here such a washed player," added @marklamb2002, picking up on Madueke’s body language rather than the broader performance.

Another user, @click00001, went further, questioning the very basis of his selection: "The only reason why he’s in that squad is because he’s part of a premier league winning team. He contributed about 1 goal and 2 assists btw. I’d take out of form Palmer or Bowen over him without thinking twice."

Inside the stadium, the miss felt like a footnote in a game England controlled. Online, it became the story.

To his credit, Madueke did not hide from it. Speaking after the final whistle, he fronted up to the chance that got away.

“I should have scored one. We definitely had a few chances, Morgz [Morgan Rogers] I think. But it will come. Better to miss them now than when the tournament starts," he said, cutting through the noise with a simple admission and a nod to the bigger picture.

He went into more detail on the moment itself: "I should’ve probably gone with my right foot. Obviously, it was happening quick. I should’ve scored it, but when the tournament comes, I will score them.”

That is the promise. Whether the public grants him the patience to make good on it when the World Cup begins is another matter entirely.