Declan Rice has bounced back from an illness but England is yet to decide if he will play in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Thursday. Rice had been unwell before the quarter-final match against Norway, where he had to be substituted at half-time after a subpar performance. Despite battling a sickness bug and dealing with hamstring and back pain, the 27-year-old vice-captain is feeling improved and participated in training with his teammates.
England’s coach will delay the final call on Rice’s inclusion in the crucial match against the reigning champions. Rice, with 78 caps, has been a key player for England in the World Cup, missing only one game due to injury. The team is preparing for the semi-final clash in Kansas City, with a final training session scheduled at Swope Soccer Village before heading to Atlanta for the game. The encounter with Argentina will mark England’s first meeting with them in over two decades.
The journey to the semi-finals has been challenging for both England and Argentina, with England overcoming tough opponents like Congo DR, Mexico, and Norway. On the other hand, Argentina faced intense matches against Cabo Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland, enduring extra time and pressure. The upcoming semi-final promises to be a thrilling showdown between the two football powerhouses.
