Declan Rice Eases Injury Fears After England's Win

Declan Rice eased fears over his fitness after limping out of England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, insisting his withdrawal was nothing more than a precaution despite weeks of concern over a nagging problem.

The midfielder, who had earlier set up Harry Kane, signalled to the bench midway through the second half in Arlington, clutching at his lower back and upper hamstring before being replaced in the 72nd minute.

On the touchline, there was no hesitation.

Tuchel plays it safe with his midfield general

Thomas Tuchel moved quickly. Rice had started to misplace passes, his usual composure flickering, and that was enough for the England boss.

“Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort,” Tuchel said afterwards. “Then I asked him and he pointed directly to his lower back and upper hamstring, that he feels the discomfort. I didn't want to take any risks and if I take Declan off, which I never want to do, it was the moment to protect.

“I think Reece James did so well to replace him in midfield, he did a fantastic game. I hope it's nothing more, Declan just reassured me at the end ‘it's good, it's good’ and I know the discomfort, we will take care of it. It's nothing big to worry about.”

The sight of Rice hobbling off would have chilled more than a few England supporters, especially given the workload he carried at Arsenal. The 27-year-old is understood to have needed injections during the closing weeks of the Gunners’ season as they pushed on two fronts, in the Premier League and Champions League.

So when he went down, hands on hips, the anxiety was real.

Rice, though, cut a relaxed figure at full-time. No ice pack, no visible strapping, just a midfielder happy with three points and keen to play down the drama.

“All good, good as gold,” he told ITV. “Just what I’ve been nursing probably in the second half of the season, little pains here and there, but I’m all good. I'm all fine, just precaution and I’ll be back out there against Ghana.”

England will still monitor him closely. A player who sets the tempo and protects the back line rarely gets fully rested in tournament football. But on this evidence, Tuchel is determined not to burn him out before the knockout stages even begin.

“Take the shackles off”: Kane lifts the lid on half-time shift

For all the talk about Rice’s back and hamstring, the real story of the night unfolded in the dressing room at half-time.

England had been dragged into a frantic first half, the game level and loose, Croatia more than happy to trade blows. The Three Lions had the ball, but not the control. The structure was there; the conviction wasn’t.

Then came the reset.

Kane revealed the message that changed everything.

“He told us to take the shackles off, calm down and let’s go,” the captain said. “He said what’s the worst that can happen? Show the world who we can be.

“We came out in the second half full gas and they couldn’t live with it, and that’s the level we have to set in every game. The way we controlled the game once we went ahead, we never really looked like we were in danger and then scored on the counterattack. We had a spell where we could have scored three or four. Credit to everyone: the first game of the tournament and a great result against a tough side.”

The difference after the break was stark. England snapped into tackles higher up the pitch, moved the ball quicker, and suddenly Croatia were chasing shadows.

The pressure finally told. Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford both struck as England surged away, the scoreline reflecting the authority they had lacked earlier. By the end, the Three Lions were not just winning; they were dictating.

Rice at the heart of England’s response

Even hampered by those “little pains”, Rice still anchored the turnaround before his early exit. He saw the game from the inside and felt the shift in mood as England stepped on the accelerator.

“I think obviously the first half probably felt worse than what it was just because of the manner of the goals we conceded,” he said. “We had a lot of the ball, but I think in the second half you see that punch, that desire from the first minute.

“There was that extra spring in our step, the press, our strength, the way we went forward, the way we created chances in the second half, and the keeper had a worldie. So, yeah, all round I think it was a great performance.”

The word “punch” summed it up. England didn’t just tidy up their shape; they imposed themselves. The press bit harder, the runs from deep came with intent, and once they moved in front, they managed the contest with a calm that will encourage Tuchel as the tournament opens up.

Reece James’ cameo in midfield offered another intriguing wrinkle. Thrown into an unfamiliar role, he drew praise from his manager and gave England an extra layer of flexibility that could prove invaluable as the games pile up.

For now, the headline is simple: three points, four goals, and top spot in Group L. Rice expects to be back for Ghana. If England can keep their midfield linchpin fit and play with the same second-half ferocity, this might be the night their tournament truly started.