Declan Rice played through illness to help England reach the World Cup semi-finals, despite spending much of the build-up to their quarter-final against Norway confined to bed.
The Arsenal midfielder recovered sufficiently to train on the eve of the match and was selected to start at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. He lasted 45 minutes before being replaced by Eberechi Eze during England’s 2-1 extra-time victory.
According to Goal’s report on Thomas Tuchel’s explanation, the England manager knew before kick-off that Rice was unlikely to complete the match after a difficult few days.
“Knowing that Declan struggles after the last three days, he was most of the time in bed, I knew he could not survive the 90 minutes,” Tuchel said.
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Rice selected despite difficult preparation
Rice had missed two training sessions after becoming one of the England players affected by illness in the days before the quarter-final.
His condition was complicated by an existing physical problem. The 27-year-old had been managing neural pain around his hamstring since December, while also dealing with discomfort linked to his lower back.
As described by The Standard before England’s knockout campaign, Rice said the hamstring issue had not prevented him from training or playing. He had also missed the group-stage victory over Panama after suffering swelling from a blow to his calf against Ghana.
“I know there’s been one [niggle] over my hamstring, which has been an issue, but that’s not a problem because I’m still here training, I’m playing. I’m fine,” Rice said earlier in the tournament.
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The illness placed additional strain on his recovery, but Tuchel and England’s medical staff decided he was fit enough to begin the quarter-final.
Tuchel had already planned the substitution
Rice’s removal was not caused by a new injury during the match.
Tuchel explained that he had decided to make a more attacking change while England were trailing 1-0. Although Jude Bellingham equalised in first-half stoppage time, the manager chose not to abandon the plan.
“With Declan, we made the decision to go more offensive at half-time,” Tuchel said. “It was a bit of an offensive shift. I made the decision at 1-0 down and didn’t want to go back on the decision.”
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Eze replaced Rice, while Bukayo Saka came on for Noni Madueke. The changes allowed England to occupy more advanced positions against a Norway side defending increasingly deep.
Tuchel also wanted to avoid using another substitution later in the evening if Rice became unable to continue.
“I also knew there was the possibility of 120, so I didn’t want to waste another change,” he said. “I made the decision to take Declan out to avoid another change further on.”
Bellingham rescues England again
Norway took the lead in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup’s cross-shot travelled over Jordan Pickford and into the England goal.
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Bellingham responded shortly before the interval, driving into the penalty area and finishing Anthony Gordon’s pass to make it 1-1.
According to Sky Sports’ match report from Miami, neither team found a winner in the second half, although Norway struck the crossbar and had another goal disallowed. Bellingham eventually scored again in the third minute of extra time after goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland failed to hold Morgan Rogers’ long-range effort.
The 2-1 victory took England into their fourth men’s World Cup semi-final and their second in succession.
Rice had started five of England’s six matches at the tournament, sitting out only the group victory over Panama. His selection against Norway underlined his importance to Tuchel, even when he was clearly below full fitness.
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Recovery race before Argentina semi-final
England will face defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15.
The semi-final kicks off at 8pm BST, with France and Spain contesting the other place in the final. According to Sky Sports’ updated tournament schedule, the winner will advance to Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
Tuchel indicated that England’s training intensity would be reduced during the short turnaround, giving Rice and the rest of the squad an opportunity to recover.
“The next few days are crucial,” the manager said.
Rice’s neural pain has required careful management throughout the tournament, but the immediate concern before Argentina is the illness that left him unable to complete the quarter-final.
England will hope the midfielder’s condition improves sufficiently for him to resume his partnership with Elliot Anderson. Against an Argentina side built around Lionel Messi, Rice’s defensive awareness, physical presence and ability to carry the ball through midfield could be central to England’s chances of reaching their first men’s World Cup final since 1966.
