Declan Rice Eases Injury Concerns Ahead of Ghana Clash

Declan Rice eased fears over his fitness after limping off in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia – and insisted he will be ready to go again against Ghana.

The midfielder, who had already set up Harry Kane in a breathless contest, signalled to the bench midway through the second half, clutching at his lower back and upper hamstring before being withdrawn on 72 minutes. For a few seconds, as he hobbled towards the touchline, the mood around the Three Lions shifted.

Thomas Tuchel moved quickly.

The England boss, who has leaned heavily on Rice as the heartbeat of his side, decided the risk simply wasn’t worth it in the opening game of the tournament.

“Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort,” Tuchel explained 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."

Rice plays down injury scare

Concerns over Rice have been simmering for weeks. During the run-in to Arsenal’s season, as they chased Premier League and Champions League glory, the 27-year-old needed injections to get through matches. Every grimace now is watched, every stretch scrutinised.

So when he went down in Arlington, the alarm bells were loud.

Rice, though, cut a relaxed figure at full-time. No strapping, no ice pack in sight, just a midfielder who had emptied the tank and lived to tell the tale.

"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."

His words will soothe England supporters as much as they will the coaching staff. Rice is not just a starter; he’s the platform. The one who knits Tuchel’s structure together, the security that lets the flair players roam.

Tuchel’s message lights the fuse

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

England had been dragged into a wild first half, trading blows with Croatia in a chaotic, open game that left them level at the break. Control had slipped, the game had turned into a sprint.

Then came Tuchel’s intervention.

Kane lifted the lid on the manager’s message, and it was as bold as the football that followed.

"He told us to take the shackles off, calm down and let’s go," the captain revealed. "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 response was immediate. England pushed higher, pressed with conviction, and turned possession into punishment. Croatia, who had gone toe-to-toe early on, suddenly looked a step behind every duel.

Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford applied the finishing touches, their goals sealing three points and, more importantly, sending a message to the rest of Group L. England are not easing their way into this tournament; they are trying to grab it by the throat.

“Punch, desire, extra spring”

Rice, watching the closing stages from the bench, saw a side transform in front of him.

"I think obviously the first half probably felt worse than what it was just because of the manner of the goals we conceded," he reflected. "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."

England ended the night with four goals, a statement win, and their midfield general insisting he will be ready for the next battle. The scare around Rice may linger in the background, given his recent workload, but Tuchel’s decision to protect him early might prove crucial as the tournament wears on.

For now, the picture is clear: England have their engine, they have their edge, and they have an early grip on Group L.

Ghana will tell them how tight that grip really is.