Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterDeclan Rice was seen limping away from England's goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday night.The Arsenal midfielder completed the full 90 minutes for the Three Lions, but appeared to be hobbling slightly in the closing minutes of the game after Thomas Tuchel had already used all five of his substitutes.This is the second game in a row that Rice has walked away from somewhat gingerly having done likewise after the 4-2 win over Croatia last week.Play our FREE match predictor and win �1kDeclan Rest, Ice, Compression, ElevationTuchel had taken Rice off in the 72nd minute against Croatia, with the manager saying after the game: "Normally I would never take Declan out but I didnt want to take any risk."Rice himself meanwhile told ITV: "It's just what Ive been nursing probably in the second half of the season at Arsenal - little neural pains here and there. But yeah, Im all good. All fine, just precaution." You may like Is Bukayo Saka injured for England vs Ghana? Arsenal superstar fitness latest Arsenal provide worrying Declan Rice hint with huge Manchester City game on the horizon Wayne Rooney demands one thing from Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to help England break Ghana down Declan Rice walked through mixed zone with left calf strapped & noticeable limp after #England 0-0 draw with #Ghana in 2nd match at #2026FIFAWorldCup. Severity unclear ahead of last Group L game against #Panama in New Jersey this Saturday @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/1lKh7u1Aaq pic.twitter.com/4uw7NU59oUJune 24, 2026That means the same thing happening after the Ghana game could be something or nothing: it would not exactly be unusual for a player who has been managing that kind of injury to be feeling it a bit immediately after a game.As he indicated, Rice had some undisclosed niggles that looked potentially calf-related throughout the second half the Gunners' title-winning season last term.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.But that did not stop him from starting all by three of their Premier League games over the season, one of which was the final game of the campaign with the title already in the bag and the Champions League final ahead.England are very likely to make it through to the knockout stage unless an absolute nightmare scenario unfolds in the final Group L games on Saturday.That may afford Tuchel the opportunity to gamble on resting Rice ahead of the round of 32.England are level on points with Ghana at the top of Group L, and sit in first place on goal difference.For them to miss out on finishing at least second in the group, England would probably need to lose by at least three goals to already-eliminated Panama, with Croatia only narrowly beating Ghana in the other game.However, Croatia's 1-0 victory over Panama later on Tuesday means that England are guaranteed to finish at least third in their group, and four points will probably be enough to make sure they would finish as one of the eight best third-placed teams.TOPICSDeclan RiceEnglandPanamaWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
