controversial when they started allowing one sub per game, in the late ‘60s (the 1970 World Cup was the first to allow subs), and initially only for injuries.

It was viewed as wimpy and unmanly to have substitutes; athletes were supposed to endure and be tough and rugged and to power through the full 90 minutes.

Eventually they started allowing 2 subs, which was how it was when I was growing up. Later it was expanded to 3, and it wan’t until COVID that it was expanded further.