Zlatan Ibrahimovic issues his most brutal World Cup verdict so far aimed at one England player

Continuing a streak of typically brutal verdicts on World Cup stars, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has singled out one England player with a damning rant during the Norway game.

Joining Thierry Henry on the American World Cup broadcast, Ibrahimovic has been one of the stars of the summer as he clashes with other pundits and holds no prisoners in damning takes.

Having lined up attacks at the Belgium vs Iran match, followed by scathing rants directed at now-ex-Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, the Swedish legend has been the voice of the people, saying what others are too kind to voice.

But his most recent assailant comes at the expense of an England star, as he claimed that the team was operating with a man down in the opening 25 minutes.

Ibra claims England were 'playing with one player less'

Thomas Tuchel surprised England fans with his team selection again, opting to favour Ezri Konsa at right back as John Stones came into the side. In the forward positions, Noni Madueke stepped back into the starting eleven over Bukayo Saka, as the two continue to rotate.

The latter move wasn't one that Zlatan appreciated, though, as he claimed England needed to get Madueke off the pitch.

"It [the hydration break] changed a little bit because Jude Bellingham has been the most active player for England," Ibra said on the Fox Sports coverage during the opening hydration break.

"But I think they’re playing with one player less so far as Madueke has been on the pitch. I have to say every time he gets the ball, he makes the wrong decision, and he’s walking on the pitch.

"Even the hydration break didn’t help him. He’s played, but he’s not started every game, they [England] started with one guy less.

"If I’m Tuchel I change him because he’s done nothing this first 45."

Ultimately, Ibrahimovic's call for a substitution was heeded as Bukayo Saka replaced Madueke at half-time in a double substitution made in Arsenal that also saw Declan Rice make way for Eberechi Eze.

Madueke was one of three players that we rated as England's worst performers in the game, although he showed glimpses of promise.

In his wake, Saka proved to be marginally better, creating chances from being direct, but failing to be convincing in front of goal.

Following the game, Thomas Tuchel claimed that he wasn't pleased with the performance overall, but defended his players' mentality in a feisty interview clash with ITV.

England's standout player Jude Bellingham also claimed that the Three Lions weren't at their best, but hailed the passion.

"We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today. The result is fantastic, we're in the last four, it's amazing, but... I'm not happy with the performance," he said.

“Again, the commitment is there, but we made life very, very difficult for us, in the way we played, how we played.

“Sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough. Not repetitive enough. We were lucky today.”

Tuchel now has four days to assess his squad and gauge the fitness levels of the England players, although the attacking players are the least of his concerns amid injuries to Declan Rice and other midfielders.