RICE FIT FOR ARGENTINA WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL, TUCHEL CONFIRMS
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that midfielder Declan Rice is fit and available to start Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final clash against defending champions Argentina after recovering from illness.
Tuchel disclosed this during his pre-match press conference in Atlanta on Tuesday, revealing that Rice had fully recovered after being substituted at half-time during England’s quarter-final victory over Norway.
“Everyone is fit to start and everyone was in training except for Jarell Quansah, who is suspended, and Jordan Henderson,” Tuchel said.
Henderson will miss the crucial encounter after suffering a broken arm in an accident following England’s Round of 16 victory over co-hosts Mexico.
Providing an update on Rice’s condition, Tuchel stated: “Rice is ready to start and as well recovered as possible.”
The England coach also acknowledged the historic rivalry between England and Argentina, describing the fixture as one of the biggest contests in international football.
“It is a big rivalry, two big football nations. Everyone who follows football and the World Cup knows what it means and what it brings,” he said.
Tuchel added that he expects a highly competitive and emotional encounter, with momentum likely to swing between both sides during the match.
The rivalry includes Argentina’s famous 2-1 victory over England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, when the late Diego Maradona scored both the controversial “Hand of God” goal and one of the most celebrated goals in football history.
Argentina also knocked England out of the 1998 World Cup after winning a penalty shootout in the Round of 16 following David Beckham’s red card.
Despite the history between both nations, Tuchel insisted his team would not rely on past events as motivation.
According to him, England’s focus remains on reaching the final and securing another victory.
“We know why we are here and what we want. We are in the semi-finals and arrive very hungry. We respect our opponent, but we don’t use historic events as fuel or make the occasion bigger than it is,” he said.
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