Rice played through illness in England win over Norway
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- Declan Rice spent nearly three days in bed with sickness — compounding a pre-existing neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back — before England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway, manager Thomas Tuchel revealed.
- Rice still started the 2-1 win in Miami but struggled in the stifling heat and was subbed at half-time for Arsenal teammate Eberechi Eze, with Tuchel conserving a substitution in case the match reached extra time.
- Jude Bellingham equalized just before half-time after Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead, then headed in the extra-time winner to send England through.
- Ezri Konsa was another player hampered by cramps and hamstring issues in the Miami heat, Tuchel said, while Rice had trained only on the eve of the quarter-final.
- The victory sets up a semi-final against Argentina — who beat Switzerland — at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, 15 July, broadcast live across the BBC.
- Rice has started five of England's six matches at the 2026 World Cup, sitting out only the group game against Panama.
Why it matters: With Rice compromised and Konsa also hampered by the Miami heat, England reached a World Cup semi-final on the back of Bellingham's brace rather than a fully fit midfield — a concern with Argentina, a nation that has historically punished England in major tournaments, next up on 15 July.
