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Declan Rice has been through the wars at the World Cup so far. He has been carrying a hamstring injury and suffered from a stomach bug. This led to him coming off at half-time in England's quarter-final match against Norway. However, he is still expected to play against Argentina tonight.
The England manager Thomas Tuchel has said that "Rice is ready to start" and is "as well recovered as possible." Therefore, the midfielder is still not 100%, so we may not see him play the whole game. Reece James may come on for Rice midway through the match.
James can play midfield, and Tuchel will probably want to keep the same back four he fielded against Norway. This would mean that Ezri Konsa stays at right-back, with John Stones and Marc Guehi in the center, with Nico O'Reilly at left-back.
England will need Rice's legs in midfield to deal with the likes of Lionel Messi. The Arsenal midfielder is an engine in the center of the park and allows the likes of Jude Bellingham and Elliot Anderson to be effective going forward.
It is not just Messi that Rice will be up against; Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea always steps up in an Argentina shirt. That midfield battle could determine the game.
England and Argentina are fierce rivals. There have been some dramatic moments in clashes between the two sides at World Cups over the years.
Diego Maradona controversially scored with his hand and then dribbled through the England team in 1986.
In 1998, David Beckham was sent off in a game with La Albiceleste. However, he made amends by scoring a match-winning penalty against Argentina.
Declan Rice at the 2026 World Cup so far:
- England 4-2 Croatia (group stage) - Rice played 72 minutes and set up Harry Kane's second goal of the game.
- England 0-0 Ghana (group stage) - The Arsenal midfielder played 90 minutes but was booked in the 41st minute.
- Panama 0-2 England (group stage) - Rice was rested for this game to avoid him picking up another yellow card and being suspended for the round of 32.
- England 2-1 DR Congo (round of 32) - Rice returned to the starting lineup and played the whole game. He even had to fill in at right-back late on. However, he was taken off in added time.
- Mexico 2-3 England (round of 16) - The midfielder played 90 minutes and picked up a booking in the first minute.
- Norway 1-2 England (quarter-finals) - Rice was taken off at half-time as a result of his stomach bug.
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