Declan Rice was not on the pitch on Saturday night. He was in the Wembley stands next to his son, watching an England team he might have captained absorb three goals from a Spain side that has now stretched its unbeaten run to 39 matches.

The Arsenal midfielder had pulled out of the extended camp injured, one of five late withdrawals alongside Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento. He made the trip anyway.

‘He showed his support, showed his face’

Thomas Tuchel returned to the topic on Monday in Prague, ahead of Tuesday’s Nations League tie against Czech Republic at the Fortuna Arena.

“It was good that [Rice] was there [against Spain],” Tuchel told reporters. “He had a long journey, a long travel to the stadium. He brought his son. That was nice to see.”

Read also: Manchester City lead the Premier League. They could also be thrown out of it

“Declan is gutted because he loves to play for England. He loves to be part of this team. He’s one of our key players and of course we miss him, but it was nice that he showed his support, showed his face.”

Kane had already spoken up for Rice

Rice reached out to captain Harry Kane before the squad reported. Ahead of the Spain match, Kane said Rice had sent him a voice note explaining the withdrawal.

“I know Dec goes far and beyond for the club and country, so I know how much he gives and I know he’s been struggling for a while with his issues,” Kane said.

“Someone like Dec has to get himself sorted and get himself fresh, and he has big games for club, big games for country coming up.”

Read also: Wayne Rooney makes unexpected 2012 title admission after Man City found guilty on 114 charges

A slip on the penalty spot

Without Rice in the midfield, England took a half-time lead through Anthony Gordon in the 36th minute and a Harry Kane header in the 40th, after Lamine Yamal had struck for Spain inside two minutes.

The night turned on a penalty in the 54th minute. Awarded a spot kick after Rodri fouled Jude Bellingham, Kane slipped as he took it and drove the ball into the bar. Substitutes Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal scored inside 14 minutes to finish Spain’s comeback.

England travel to Prague without their midfield anchor

England play Czech Republic in Prague on Tuesday, with kick-off at 8:45pm local time at the Fortuna Arena. Tuchel confirmed that defenders Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly also missed training and would be assessed before kick-off. Rice remains at home.

Read also: 'He's always been my rival': Antonelli fires warning at Russell

Read also: Michael Schumacher’s wife makes rare on-camera admission in new Netflix film