Sports13 July, 20263 min read
Declan Rice Overcomes Illness as England Make Late Call for World Cup Semi-Final vs Argentina
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Rice suffered a sickness bug ahead of quarter-final vs Norway and was substituted at half-time. England will make a late decision on Rice's availability for the Argentina semi-final.
Rice targets Argentina start
Declan Rice is set to overcome illness and retain his place for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, with Thomas Tuchel saying the Arsenal midfielder had spent “most of the previous three days in bed due to illness.” The BBC reported that England will make a late decision on whether Rice is fit to start after he was substituted at half-time of the 2-1 win over Norway, and that his condition had improved markedly over the past 48 hours. The Guardian said England returned to their base in Kansas City for the final time before departing for Atlanta on Tuesday, and that the 27-year-old is expected to start alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield against the reigning world champions.
England also face fitness concerns over Ezri Konsa, who had to be substituted against Norway due to cramp, while the Guardian said there is a chance Tuchel will recall Reece James after the Chelsea captain came on as a second-half substitute against Norway. Jordan Pickford said England’s players know they must keep their heads against Argentina and insisted they will not be distracted by the intense rivalry between the two countries.
Pickford on staying calm
Pickford, speaking ahead of the semi-final in Atlanta, said, “You’ve seen throughout the tournament, you’ve seen our desire to win titles, we’ve not gotten into any scuffles or anything,” and he added that if decisions go against them, “we just reset, we go again, and we let the football do the talking.” The Telegraph said England will give Rice as much time as possible to get over the effects of his illness in preparation to start Wednesday’s World Cup showdown against Argentina, after he went off at half-time in England’s quarter-final win over Norway on Saturday. The Telegraph reported Tuchel said immediately after that game that Rice had spent “most of the last three days in bed” and that there had been no chance of him playing 90 minutes.
The Guardian said authorities in Atlanta are on high alert ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final with thousands of supporters from both countries expected at a stadium where many of the seats are unsegregated. Pickford also said, “It’s just a game of football with two sets of passionate fans who are going to be at the game,” framing the match as “Us and Argentina and Spain and France” competing for a place in the final.
Neural pain and lineup
The New York Times reported Tuchel told the media that he asked Declan Rice “if he can play” and that Rice replied, “I can do it for the team, but I am in terrible pain.” It added that Tuchel said Rice was grateful “that we took him off (against DR Congo),” and that it was “more neural pain.” The BBC said Rice has also been carrying a neural problem for several months, affecting his lower back and hamstring, and that he has 78 caps and has started all but one of England’s World Cup games so far.
The Guardian said Rice is expected to start alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield, while it also noted England have fitness concerns over Ezri Konsa and a chance Tuchel will recall Reece James. With the semi-final at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the BBC said England medics are set to make a late call on his availability, and the Telegraph said England will monitor Rice closely in the build-up to the semi-final.