England player seen ‘limping’ in Croatia game, raising worries about injury
England kicked off their 2026 World Cup with a great 4-2 win over Croatia, but there’s some worry about one important player who was seen limping off the field. Harry Kane scored two goals in the first half, and after a 2-2 tie at halftime, Jude Bellingham quickly added a third goal. Later, Marcus Rashford sealed the win with a late goal.
Coach Thomas Tuchel will be happy with the win but knows there’s room to improve, especially in defense since England gave up two goals in the first half. One big concern is Declan Rice, who limped off the pitch around the 72nd minute and was replaced by Rashford, with Bellingham shifting back to cover in midfield.
Rice is really important for linking defense and midfield and helping protect the backline, so seeing him hurt is worrying for Tuchel, the team, and fans. The good news is Tuchel has options to cover for Rice, but he’ll hope Rice isn’t seriously hurt and can play in the next match against Ghana on Tuesday.
As the tournament goes on and opponents get tougher, having all the best players fit will be key for England’s chances to win their first World Cup in 60 years. Rice, along with Kane, Bellingham, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, will play a big role in making that happen.
Rice was a standout in the win over Croatia, setting up a goal and creating several chances, while keeping strong possession with an 89% pass completion in his 72 minutes. He was also crucial in Arsenal’s Premier League win and Champions League run last season. Now, a lot of hope rests on his shoulders and the rest of the team to bring World Cup glory back home for England fans.