Declan Rice finished England's win over DR Congo in "terrible pain", leaving Thomas Tuchel with a major fitness worry ahead of a last-16 meeting with Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday.
The Arsenal midfielder, who has been battling lower back and neural pain affecting his hamstrings, had to ask to be substituted in the dying stages of the tense World Cup encounter in Atlanta. Though he later insisted he would be fit to face the joint hosts, his manager revealed the severity of the issue.
“Declan Rice finished in 'terrible pain' but England beat DR Congo to set up last-16 with Mexico.”
"I asked him. He said: 'I can do it for the team but I am in terrible pain,'" Tuchel said. "When Declan tells you he is in terrible pain then you know he cannot take it anymore. He was grateful we took him off but he said after the game it's not an issue. There is no injury — I think he will recover. He was just in pain and I hope he is right. It's more neural pain."
Asked whether Rice can go from game to game, Tuchel replied: "He can, yeah."
Rice looked uncharacteristically sluggish throughout the 90 minutes, and was eventually shifted to right-back — a tactical change that ironically sparked England's late improvement. But the move also raised questions about his midfield partnership with Elliot Anderson. Are they too similar?
England had earlier fallen behind before Harry Kane scored twice to turn the match around, securing a place in the knockout rounds against Mexico. Kane's double ensured the Three Lions would leave Atlanta with a victory, but the concern over Rice's condition now dominates the build-up.
The back problem is a worry for Arsenal too, with Rice mid-marathon season and getting no time for rest. England will also have to contend with the altitude in Mexico City, in addition to their injury list. Jarell Quansah is edging closer to a return after hurting his ankle against Panama in the final group match, and Reece James is also nearing fitness, but unlikely to be ready for Mexico.
That leaves an ongoing issue at right-back, where Djed Spence — brought to the World Cup as backup left-back and praised by Tuchel for his athleticism and versatility — had a night to forget against DR Congo. "He looked a little out of his depth on the international stage after an underwhelming domestic campaign," noted one analysis. Rice's late cameo at right-back may have given Tuchel an alternative, but it came at a cost.
"He is in terrible pain," Tuchel repeated. And with the biggest test yet awaiting England in the Azteca, the question of whether Rice can truly recover in time looms large.