Declan Rice Confident in England's Set-Piece Prowess After Croatia Win

EnglandTeam·England midfielder Declan RicePlayer·Declan Rice has affirmed the national team's growing proficiency from set-pieces, stating that fans "can be excited" about their effectiveness. His remarks come in the wake of EnglandTeam·England's commanding 4-2 win against CroatiaTeam·Croatia in their inaugural Group L match of the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·2026 FIFA World Cup, a game where captain Harry KanePlayer·Harry Kane netted a crucial goal directly from a corner delivered by Rice.

The Three Lions' performance against CroatiaTeam·Croatia underscored a tactical dimension that could prove vital in their World Cup campaign. Rice's precise delivery from the corner flag found Kane, demonstrating the culmination of dedicated training. "Everyone's enjoying now, aren't they?" Rice commented to BBC Sport, acknowledging a shift in public perception regarding these strategic plays.

He elaborated on the extensive work invested in perfecting these moments, drawing parallels with his club experience. "Long meetings going through set pieces, doing it on the pitch, repetition," Rice explained, emphasizing that "execution, the timing, what we plan has to be bang on the money for us to score a goal." This meticulous approach, which has seen Rice become a primary set-piece taker for his club side, ArsenalTeam·Arsenal, appears to be translating effectively onto the international stage.

EnglandTeam·England enters the World Cup with significant momentum, having secured qualification by winning all eight of their Group K matches in the 2025/26 season. Remarkably, the team maintained an impenetrable defense throughout the qualification campaign, conceding no goals and achieving a formidable +22 goal differential. Their victory over CroatiaTeam·Croatia places them at the top of Group L, setting a strong foundation for the tournament.

Rice's role extends beyond set-piece delivery; his overall defensive stability and ball-carrying prowess are integral to EnglandTeam·England's tactical framework under head coach Thomas Tuchel. His ability to dictate play from midfield, combined with his dead-ball expertise, makes him a pivotal figure in EnglandTeam·England's pursuit of a major international trophy, a drought that extends back to 1966.

Despite experiencing some discomfort in his lower back and upper hamstring during the CroatiaTeam·Croatia match, Declan RicePlayer·Declan Rice has confirmed his availability for EnglandTeam·England's upcoming fixtures. The team is scheduled to face GhanaTeam·Ghana on June 23, followed by Panama on June 27, as they aim to solidify their position in Group L and advance to the knockout stages. The proficiency demonstrated from set-pieces, orchestrated by Rice, could indeed be a decisive factor in EnglandTeam·England's quest for World Cup glory.