Rice plays through pain as England prepare for Ghana

Rice playing through the pain, England face Ghana Saturday

Declan Rice has been managing hamstring neural pain since Christmas. The midfielder revealed he has played through it for Arsenal and England, and now Thomas Tuchel faces a decision: start him or rest him against Ghana (background). Jamie Carragher has made his view plain: England cannot afford to rest Rice, not with the group still to be secured (background).

Saka fit but Carragher says don't risk him

Bukayo Saka is back in normal training after nursing an Achilles issue (background). Carragher's advice is blunt: don't play him. England's opener against Croatia is won, and risking Saka's fitness now may cost you later (background).

The defence that leaked against Croatia

England's attack clicked in the opener. The defence did not. Tuchel's centre-back selection is under the microscope, and Ghana have Antoine Semenyo ready to exploit any fragility (background). The only previous senior meeting between these sides ended 1–1 (background).

Madueke: from protests to World Cup starter

Noni Madueke's signing for Arsenal brought fan protests. Now he starts at a World Cup. His turnaround has been one of the sharper storylines of this camp (background).

Tuchel's standards on the training pitch

Djed Spence is among those who have received public feedback from Tuchel in training. The manager is not waiting for matchday to set the bar (background).

Fan reactions

England fans are already mapping knockout paths. With Group H the first to eliminate a third-place team, the bracket is locking into shape: 3D vs 1E (Paraguay vs Germany) and 3F vs 1I (Sweden vs France) are set (1). The wider chatter on r/soccer includes Ousmane Dembélé's first-half hat-trick for France, the sixth in World Cup history and the first since 1994, a reminder of what awaits if England advance (2). See the full bracket discussion.