The Arsenal midfielder left the field after feeling ‘discomfort’ during the second half of England’s opening World Cup win
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Declan Rice is a minor injury concern for England following their opening win against Croatia.
England beat their Group L rivals 4-2 after two goals by Harry Kane and one each from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford, in a performance full of attacking football to set the tone for their World Cup under Thomas Tuchel.
But there was some concern when Rice left the field in the second half, having been seen clutching the top of his right leg. Tuchel replaced him with Morgan Rogers and dropped Bellingham back into a deeper role, before later moving Reece James into midfield.
Rice, who created Kane’s opening goal with an outswinging corner, had felt “discomfort” but the manager is confident the injury is “nothing big”.
“Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort,” Tuchel said. “I asked him, and he pointed directly to his lower back, upper hamstring, that he feels the discomfort.
“I didn’t want to take any risk, so I decided to take Declan off – which I never wanted to do – but it was the moment to protect him, and I think Reece James did so well to replace him in the central midfield. [Rice] had a fantastic game, so I hope it’s nothing more, and he just reassured me at the end: ‘It’s good, and I know the discomfort’. We will take care of it, and this is nothing big to worry about.”
Rice's set-pieces were a notable weapon for England in Dallas
Rice's set-pieces were a notable weapon for England in Dallas (Getty)
It was the only blot on a good night for England, although they showed some defensive frailties in the first half.
Croatia twice hauled themselves level to keep England in check before Bellingham rose to the occasion with England’s third goal in the 47th minute, and Rashford put the game away with an 85th-minute strike.
England’s second group game is against Ghana in Boston next Tuesday.