England manager, Thomas Tuchel, has confirmed that midfielder Declan Rice is fit to start Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final against defending champions Argentina after recovering from illness.
Rice, who came off at half-time during England’s quarter-final victory over Norway, has resumed full training and is expected to return to the starting line-up at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“Everyone is fit to start and everyone was in training except for Jarell (Quansah) who is suspended and Jordan Henderson,” Tuchel told reporters.
Providing an update on the Arsenal midfielder, the German added, “Rice is ready to start and as well recovered as possible.”
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Jordan Henderson will miss the match after suffering a broken arm following England’s Round of 16 victory over co-hosts Mexico.
Rice has started every World Cup game for England and is expected to play a key role in midfield against an Argentina side led by Lionel Messi.
Looking ahead to the semi-final, Tuchel described the meeting between England and Argentina as one of international football’s biggest rivalries but insisted his players are focused on the present rather than history.
“It is a big rivalry, two big football nations, everyone who loves football and follows the World Cup knows about this and about what it brings.
“We expect an intense and emotional match, with a lot of momentum swings,” he said.
The rivalry includes Argentina’s famous 2-1 victory over England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, when Diego Maradona scored both the controversial “Hand of God” goal and one of the tournament’s greatest solo goals.
Argentina also knocked England out on penalties at the 1998 World Cup after David Beckham’s red card.
However, Tuchel said those previous meetings are not part of England’s motivation.
He said, “We don’t use it as a fuel. We know why we are here, we know what we want, we were never shy of expecting that from ourselves, and of saying it or of dreaming it.
“We are in the semi-finals, and we arrive very hungry. We want to have the next win. We respect our opponent, but we don’t dip into historic events, and we don’t make it bigger than it is.”
England reached the last four after defeating Norway, while Argentina advanced as they continue their bid to retain the World Cup title.
