Declan Rice set to start against Argentina in World Cup semi-final

Rice set to start against Argentina

Declan Rice is winning his fitness battle. The midfielder is expected to recover from illness and start Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina (6). A late call will still be made (12), but the signs are positive. Elliot Anderson is on standby if Rice does not make it (6).

Jordan Henderson is already out with a serious injury, so losing Rice too would have left a gaping hole in midfield (13).

Kane hits back at over-reliance talk

Harry Kane has heard the criticism. He and Jude Bellingham have scored 10 of England's 11 goals at this tournament, and Kane is not apologising (1).

"We're the guys people expect to score," he said (1). The captain also insists the squad is "completely together" ahead of the Argentina clash, pushing back on any suggestion of divisions after the Norway game (9).

Tuchel and Bellingham, the post-match friction

Jude Bellingham's comments after the Norway quarter-final win caused a stir, and Thomas Tuchel was not happy with the performance either (14). Kane later addressed the interviews publicly, keeping things calm (5). Small friction, nothing more. The focus is now on Wednesday.

Pickford ready for his first Messi test

Jordan Pickford has never faced Lionel Messi. That changes Wednesday, and the England goalkeeper is up for it: "It will be great to finally face him" (7). But Pickford warned the focus cannot be only on stopping one player. Argentina have threats everywhere (7).

Argentina in blue, Maradona echoes

Argentina will wear their blue shirt for the semi-final (10). For England fans of a certain age, that is a loaded image. Diego Maradona wore blue in 1986. This is only the sixth World Cup meeting between the two sides, and the history is heavy.

Police boost security in Atlanta

Atlanta police are putting more officers on duty for the semi-final (4). The fixture carries decades of tension, and authorities are treating it accordingly (4).

Newcastle snap up England U17 winger Kyran Thompson

Away from the World Cup: Newcastle have agreed a deal to sign Kyran Thompson from Arsenal's academy. The England U17 winger leaves as a free agent. Fabrizio Romano confirmed it: "Here we go! Thompson has agreed to join #NUFC among five proposals" (16).

Fan reactions

England supporters are anxious about Rice. The late fitness call has the subreddit split between those confident he starts and those bracing for Anderson (1). Elsewhere, fans are digging into the history books. The Hand of God, the Goal of the Century, and now Messi's first ever England-Argentina match, this one has layers (4). A widely shared post also notes that no team has ever won a World Cup with a foreign manager. Thomas Tuchel is trying to be the first (5).

Rice fitness thread | Messi vs England first time | Foreign manager stat