England survived a massive scare against DR Congo on Tuesday, escaping with a 2-1 win thanks to two late goals from Harry Kane. But the performance left more questions than answers for Thomas Tuchel’s side, and one of the biggest names in soccer history noticed.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, watching from the FOX Sports booth, didn’t hold back when asked about England’s physical condition. The Swedish legend pointed directly at Declan Rice, saying the Arsenal midfielder looked like he was running in quicksand.
“We can discuss about details and that, but today I saw England suffering physically,” Ibrahimovic said. “I didn’t see them run like before, especially Declan Rice. His quality is to run, but it is like he was struggling. Not only him, also the other ones.”
Tuchel’s Gamble Paid Off But Raised Eyebrows
DR Congo jumped out to an early lead inside the first 10 minutes, and for most of the match it looked like England might drop points. Lionel Mpasi was a wall in goal, turning away chance after chance. The Congolese defense held firm until the 75th minute, when Tuchel made a move that changed everything.
The manager shifted Rice to right back. It was an odd call on paper, but it worked. Suddenly England had more width and attacking freedom. Anthony Gordon started finding space on the left, and Kane did what Kane does — two clinical finishes in the closing minutes to flip the result.
But the move also exposed something. Rice, who usually covers every blade of grass in midfield, looked heavy-legged from the start. After the final whistle, cameras caught him icing his left hamstring. That’s not a great sign for a team that needs its engine room running at full power.
Injury Problems Piling Up
Rice isn’t the only Arsenal player carrying a question mark. Bukayo Saka has dealt with a series of injury scares recently, and the team has already lost Tino Livramento for the rest of the tournament to an injury. England’s depth in defense is getting tested early.
Tuchel didn’t address Rice’s condition directly after the match, but the fact that he needed treatment immediately after playing 90 minutes is something the medical staff will be watching closely. England got the win and advanced to the Round of 16, but if Rice isn’t right, that path gets a whole lot harder.
Zlatan’s comments might sting, but he wasn’t wrong. England looked tired. And in a World Cup where games come fast, tired legs don’t fix themselves.
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