Rice pain revelation looms over England's Ghana test

Rice or no Rice, Tuchel's midfield call

Declan Rice has been playing through hamstring neural pain since Christmas. He revealed it himself, managing the condition for club and country, pushing through the pain barrier. Thomas Tuchel now faces the decision: start him against Ghana or save him. Jamie Carragher is clear. You cannot afford to rest him, he says. The stakes are a last-16 place, and Ghana will not roll over.

Saka trains, Carragher says don't risk him

Bukayo Saka is back in normal training after nursing an Achilles issue. Good news, but Carragher has urged caution: do not throw him in against Ghana. With the knockout rounds on the horizon, Tuchel may listen.

Madueke, from protests to starter

Noni Madueke's journey is something. Arsenal fans protested his signing. Now he starts at a World Cup. His pace caused Croatia problems in the opener, and he looks set to keep his place.

The defence is the real worry

The attack purred against Croatia. The defence did not. Tuchel's centre-back selection still looks unconvincing, and Ghana carry a threat. Antoine Semenyo will lead the line for a side that drew 1–1 with England in their only previous senior meeting, they want more this time.

Fan reactions

The anniversary of the Hand of God has stirred memories, with some supporters marking four decades since that Maradona afternoon and others just focused on finding a screen for England–Ghana. Meanwhile, Arsenal fans are already looking beyond the World Cup, with Morgan Rogers and Ayyoub Bouaddi linked for a combined £170m. Read more