BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the work rate and technical performance of substitute players at the UEFA Euro 2016. METHODS: Match performance indicators of 252 outfield players from 10 matches during the knockout stage were analyzed using the InStat multiple-camera tracking system (InStat, Moscow, Russia). Absolute distances (m) were converted to relative distance covered per unit of time (m/min). RESULTS: The results showed that most substitutions occurred between the 75th and 90th minutes of the game. Overall, substitutes (109.8±10.9 m/min) covered more total distance than players who were replaced (109.2±10.3 m/min; Effect size [ES]=0.06, trivial effect) and those who completed the entire game (107.8±9.2 m/min; ES=0.20, small effect). Substitute players covered 30% and 35% more of high intensity running distance than players who were replaced (ES=0.99) or finished the entire match (ES=1.07), respectively, with moderate effects. Forward substitutes covered greater high-intensity running distances (13.4±3.3 m/min) than substitute defenders (10.2±3.1 m/min; ES=1.00, moderate effect) and midfielders (12.3±3.4 m/min; ES=0.33, small effect). The present observation indicated that substitute players (84.0%) performed a greater number of accurate passes compared to players who finished the whole game (82.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the players` work-rate data could be useful to football coaches in making tactical substitutions targeted at improving overall team performance.
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