In the footage, Rice is seen covering his mouth while directing words toward Messi. Despite the clear gesture, the referee took no action, even though under the newly enacted ‘Vinicius Law,’ any player who covers their mouth while addressing an opponent or official during a confrontation is subject to an immediate red card.

This incident adds to the mounting scrutiny surrounding refereeing at this World Cup, which recently prompted FIFA’s Pierluigi Collina to defend match officials after France manager Didier Deschamps criticized Ivan Barton. While this matchup left plenty of questions unanswered, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni chose to downplay the officiating controversy in his post-match comments.

Meanwhile, Rice’s England teammate Jude Bellingham spoke candidly about the heartbreaking semifinal exit, reflecting the deep sense of devastation felt across the Three Lions’ squad.

What is the “Vinicius Law”?

While Rice managed to escape a sending-off, the footage caught him repeating the gesture during another tense interaction, this time with Argentina‘s Alexis Mac Allister. To understand how the England midfielder avoided a red card, it helps to examine the exact wording of the newly implemented rule by which players who cover their mouths during an argument get a red card:

“Any player who deliberately covers their mouth with their hand, arm, or jersey while engaged in a confrontation or aggressive exchange with an opponent or match official will be presumed to be using offensive, insulting, or abusive language,“ according to the update to Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct) of the IFAB Laws of the Game.

A key distinction in the application of the rule is that referees are instructed to ignore the gesture when players are simply covering their mouths to discuss tactics or strategies with their own teammates during play.

A previous violation resulted in a red card

While referee Ismael Elfath faces intense criticism for letting Rice off the hook, a precedent for the rule had already been set earlier in the 2026 World Cup during the group stage match between Paraguay and Australia.

Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was sent off late in the first half of that fixture for the exact mouth-covering infraction that went unpunished here. The inconsistent application of the rule is precisely why debate over tournament officiating has reached a fever pitch, with fans and pundits demanding FIFA establish clearer standards moving forward.

Tuchel isn’t the only one facing a big decision in midfield, though. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is also reportedly planning a change, with Rodrigo De Paul’s role in jeopardy. As for Tuchel, the Three Lions’ manager may have avoided disaster, as Rice and O’Reilly were able to practice with the team, putting any health concerns to rest.

“Declan Rice has trained fully and is available from the start after his sickness bug, Nico O’Reilly’s hamstring problem has eased,” Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports reported on his X account.

With Rice and O’Reilly available, Tuchel could play them in their usual positions as England prepare for a marquee matchup against Argentina. Rice will likely start as the No. 5, holding down the fort in midfield while helping create chances, whereas O’Reilly would play at left back. In the City in a Forest, the sold-out crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will bear witness to an instant classic that could go down in FIFA World Cup history.

England’s (almost) perfect attendance

Aside from Jarell Quansah, who is serving a two-game suspension after his red card against Mexico in the Round of 16, and Jordan Henderson, who suffered an injury during the post-game celebrations of that same outing, Tuchel has a full squad to work with.

The Three Lions could therefore field their best possible lineup to face Argentina in the semifinal. Needless to say, La Albiceleste will have to sleep with one eye open, as England appear to be firing on all cylinders at the perfect moment.

England vie semifinal redemption

England have lost more World Cup semifinals than they’ve won, but a win over Argentina would level the record. With Rice and O’Reilly reportedly cleared to play—and thus expected to start—the Three Lions may have their best chance to reach the final for the first time since 1966.

Six decades ago, that was the last—and only—time England won the FIFA World Cup. Perhaps all the heartbreak will now be worth it. England have accumulated karma, and it may have led to the perfect stage for the Three Lions to finally bring it home.

According to the BBC, England will make a late decision on whether Declan Rice is fit to start the World Cup semifinal against Argentina. However, there remains optimism that the Arsenal midfielder can shake off the effects of an illness to play on Wednesday.

Rice had to leave the pitch after the first half of England’s 2-1 victory over Norway in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, having recently recovered from an illness.

Rice’s situation

The same report indicates that Rice’s health has improved noticeably over the last 48 hours, but medical staff will still make a last-minute decision regarding his availability. For now, Tuchel is considering Reece James to play in that position.

England and Argentina will face off for the second ticket to the World Cup final this Wednesday, July 15, at 3:00 PM ET, leaving everything on the line in a matchup that promises high emotions.

What injury does Declan Rice have?

For a few weeks, Declan Rice acknowledged that he has been dealing with a neurological injury that causes pain in his lower back and hamstrings and remains doubtful.

However, following the match against Mexico, he also contracted a virus and gastroenteritis. As a result, he was isolated from the rest of his teammates and was only able to play 45 minutes during the victory against Norway.

A physical issue caused by a virus had placed his availability in doubt and raised concerns ahead of the match. However, the Arsenal midfielder was able to start for The Three Lions, although it was clear he was not operating at 100 percent.

One important detail that cannot be overlooked is the weather conditions under which the match is being played. Temperatures above 30 degrees, combined with high humidity, are creating an even greater physical demand on the players.

In a first half that featured not only two entertaining goals but also Jordan Pickford breaking Peter Shilton’s record to become England’s most-capped goalkeeper in World Cup history, the team’s fate will depend on whether it wins, ties, or loses in South Florida.

Bellingham surpassed a soccer legend

Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring with a spectacular goal, but the joy did not last long for the Vikings, who celebrated with their iconic Viking Row. Jude Bellingham then leveled the match for England late in the first half with an individual effort inside the box.

In this way, the Real Madrid midfielder surpassed a legend of the game, eclipsing Zinedine Zidane’s World Cup goal tally. Bellingham has now scored six goals in the tournament, while Zidane finished his World Cup career with five.

VAR once again takes center stage

Around the middle of the second half, Pickford’s goal was beaten for a second time on the day. However, Norway’s second goal was disallowed after a VAR review, allowing Thomas Tuchel and England to breathe a sigh of relief once again.

The key figure in the incident was Erling Haaland, who pushed his opponent inside the box before the corner kick was taken. The referee did not initially spot the foul, but his assistants did, leading to the final decision to disallow Torbjørn Heggem’s goal.

According to many reports, including Sami Mokbel from BBC, Declan Rice is fighting a slight sickness bug and has been sidelined from the group to prevent any bug spread. Hence, Rice’s status is really in question right now. There is also an injury update on Marc Guehi.

Rice is a key piece in the middle of the field for the English national team. As they face a top-tier team like Norway, England must be praying that the Arsenal man can step up into the pitch, even more now that Jarell Quansah has been suspended for two games. The midfielder is also dealing with huge discomfort in his hamstring.

Rice in the 2026 World Cup

Declan Rice has played four matches, accumulating 342 minutes and getting one assist. Rice most notably played the full 90 minutes in England’s dramatic 3-2 Round of 16 win against Mexico at Mexico Stadium. In the 2026 World Cup, Rice has been a protagonist.

Rice is the metronome of England. He is the player that commands the tempo, helps with the buildup and also brings good zone coverage. All in all, he is one of the best midfielders in the world for a reason.

Who could replace Rice if he can’t play for England vs Belgium?

Given that Jordan Henderson got injured in England’s game vs. Mexico, the primary option to replace Rice if he is not ready to go is Kobbie Mainoo. While still a central midfielder, Mainoo and Rice are very different.

Rice is a defensively dominant, physically imposing anchor who excels at breaking up play and driving the ball forward. Mainoo is a press-resistant, deep-lying playmaker known for his close control, composure, and ability to get the ball in between lines.

Although it was initially expected to be just muscle fatigue, the Manchester City center-back’s injury was confirmed according to the BBC. While the player remains optimistic and hopes to train this Friday, the coaching staff knows it cannot take risks in the backline, especially having to mark the fearsome Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals in the tournament.

Adding to the defensive issues is the delicate situation of Declan Rice, who was unable to participate in practice for the second consecutive day due to a virus. The midfielder was already dealing with a neural problem that affected his hamstring and lower back, a condition that has been aggravated by this recent sickness.

Good news for England

As a counterweight to these complications, Tuchel received a boost of relief on Thursday with the return of Reece James to full training for the first time since his injury against Ghana.

The return of the right-back is a fundamental reinforcement for a sector of the pitch that had become a real headache, especially after a two-match suspension was confirmed for Jarell Quansah due to his red card against Mexico. Considering that Tino Livramento was injured before the tournament, Djed Spence emerged as the only natural specialist available for the position, which highlights the importance of the Chelsea man’s recovery.

Possible replacements for Guehi

If Guehi ultimately fails to pass the fitness tests and is ruled out of the starting eleven, England have high-quality alternatives available to cover the central defense, having John Stones, Dan Burn, or Trevoh Chalobah at their disposal, the latter of whom joined the squad as an injury replacement and can also play as a fullback.

According to The Sun, Rice is being rested as a precaution after dealing with hamstring and calf complaints leading up to the match. A win or even a draw against Panama would guarantee Tuchel’s side first place in Group L.

England opened the tournament with a 4-2 victory over Croatia before playing to a scoreless draw against Ghana, results that left the Three Lions in control of first place in Group L. Panama, meanwhile, lost 1-0 to both Ghana and Croatia and can no longer advance to the Round of 32.

Why is Declan Rice on the bench against Panama?

Rice’s absence from England’s starting lineup is part of Thomas Tuchel’s rotation plan rather than a disciplinary or injury issue. With qualification already secured, the manager has opted to rest the midfielder to preserve his fitness for the knockout stage and give other players a chance to feature.

What does Rice’s absence mean for England?

Although Rice isn’t starting and even Reece James isn’t playing today, England still have enough depth in midfield as they look to finish the group stage with another positive result. The match also gives Tuchel an opportunity to evaluate other options before the knockout rounds begin.

A strong performance against Panama would allow England to carry momentum into the Round of 32 while preserving one of their key players for the matches that matter most.

Following the match, Declan Rice had a message for his teammates: “It’s a lottery. Some of the best teams ever have lost on penalties in finals, and we were on the receiving end.” Rice added. “We gave absolutely everything… we win together, and we lose together,” Declan Rice affirmed. And, for good reason, not becoming champions without losing a match must be incredibly tough.

He also demonstrated why he is the captain of this great team led by Mikel Arteta, showing his support to everyone and not letting anyone down, ensuring that everything they achieved this season would have been possible. “I’m so proud of the boys. We will be back. We love them and we are with them. Without them, we wouldn’t have won the Premier League. We have to be proud.”

“Gabriel, I have run out of words for him as a player and with Eze, he’s got crucial goals for us this season. It’s cruel, but we’ll take the positives and keep going.” Rice concluded.

The devastating penalty shootout

Here, two sides exist: the one that wins and emerges successful from that penalty shootout, and the one that loses it with players who missed their respective spot kicks, which is the case for Gabriel Magalhaes and Eberechi Eze, who, despite being key pieces in the team, could receive a lot of blame from the fans. And also be runner-up after finishing as unbeaten runners-up.

Gabriel Magalhaes shot the last of his team’s penalties over the bar to hand PSG a 4-3 shootout victory. Eberechi Eze also missed an earlier spot kick, but David Raya saved from Nuno Mendes to let Arsenal stay level.

Lucas Beraldo scored the last of PSG’s spot kicks, meaning Arsenal‘s defender had to convert to take it to sudden death, but he missed to spark celebrations from PSG players and fans inside Puskas Arena.

The other side of the coin

PSG, on the other hand, consecrate themselves as back-to-back champions of the competition, a club that chased it for so many years and struggled for years to get over the line in the Champions League despite huge investment from their Qatari owners.

But they have flipped the script under Luis Enrique to become only the second side in the Champions League era to defend the trophy. And without star names from the start, we consider them as such now entirely because of the development given to them by Luis Enrique, such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and even Ousmane Dembele himself, who is currently having his prime.

Through his official Instagram account, Rice posted a photo alongside some of his teammates with the message: “I told you all.. it’s done,” accompanied by a trophy emoji and a heart.

With one matchday remaining in the season, the Gunners sit four points ahead of Manchester City, a lead that is mathematically unassailable for Pep Guardiola’s side. The last time Arsenal were crowned champions was in the 2003–04 season.

Declan Rice was one of the key players in this team’s strong campaign. Although one match still remains, he managed to score 4 goals and provide 5 assists for his teammates throughout the season.

Arsenal now turn focus to the Champions League

With the domestic title now behind them, Mikel Arteta’s squad has fully shifted its focus to the biggest prize in European soccer. The Gunners are set to clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary. Arsenal will be looking to join the list of unbeaten Champions League winners.

Only a select few English teams have achieved ‘the double’ of winning the domestic league and the European Cup in the same season, and Arsenal are determined to etch their names into that elite history by lifting their first-ever Champions League trophy.

“Lionel Messi. The Best Ever,” posted Declan Rice on 2022 on, formerly Twitter. Nevertheless, it does not end there. The 23 years-old midfielder was interviewed by the English legend Gary Neville and he expanded his take: “Messi. Obviously, it’s such a hard question because what he and Ronaldo have done is like a freak of nature, no one will ever do that ever again…But, Messi what he does with the soccer, it’s so special I love it, I don’t think we’ll ever see a player like him ever again.“

Declan Rice has never hidden his admiration for Lionel Messi. He has praised the Argentine legend on several occasions. After Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Rice even said there would never be another soccer player like Messi in history. His style of play also reflects that admiration. It has always fit well with the attacking philosophy that defined Messi’s FC Barcelona. This connection shows how much influence the Argentine star has had on Rice’s career.

Declan Rice is a key part of Arsenal’s long-term sporting project

Declan Rice arrived at Arsenal as England’s top defensive midfielder. In 2021, Mikel Arteta made a bold decision. He saw Rice as the cornerstone of his long-term project. As a result, Arsenal paid an impressive $131 million to sign him from West Ham.

Since his arrival, the team has taken a clear step forward. Arsenal began to challenge seriously for the Premier League title. At the same time, they secured regular spots in the Champions League. That level of consistency had not been seen since Arsene Wenger’s departure.

Declan Rice plays as a defensive midfielder, yet his impact on offense has been remarkable. He has scored seven goals and provided eight assists for Arsenal in all competitions this season. His attacking qualities have always stood out, and his long-distance shooting is one of his strongest attributes. In fact, he scored a brace from free kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinal. That performance perfectly showcased how dangerous he can be going forward.

Declan is already carving out his place in soccer history. He continues to deliver performances that grab global attention. After scoring the stunning two free-kicks goals against Real Madrid, Rice joined an elite list of players who have achieved this feat in the UEFA Champions League.

However, Declan did something no one else has done before. He became the only player to score two free-kick goals in the knockout stage of Europe’s top club competition. This rare accomplishment highlights not only his talent but also his ability to shine under pressure.

Declan scored two free kicks just 12 minutes apart during the second half of the match at Emirates Stadium in London. This gave the Gunners a commanding lead and set up a crucial victory, which was later sealed by Mikel Merino with the third goal.

In doing so, Rice became the fifth player in history to score two direct free kicks in a single Champions League match. This represents such a rare achievement that even Lionel Messi, the third-highest free-kick scorer of all time, was never able to accomplish it.

Who else has scored two free-kick goals in a UCL match before Rice?

Before Tuesday, April 8, 2025, only four players had managed to score two direct free kicks in a single UEFA Champions League match. The first was Brazilian legend Rivaldo, who did it in 2000 for Barcelona against AC Milan.

In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo joined that exclusive list. The Portuguese forward was in his first season with Real Madrid when he scored two free kicks against Zurich of Switzerland in a 5-2 away win during the group stage.

Neymar achieved the same feat in 2018 for Paris Saint-Germain against Red Star Belgrade, while the most recent example came in 2023 when Hakim Ziyech, playing for Galatasaray of Turkey, scored twice from free kicks in a match against Manchester United.

What’s next for Real Madrid after the defeat to Arsenal?

The three-goal deficit after the first leg leaves Real Madrid in a highly difficult position. They will need to secure the same goal difference in the second leg next Wednesday to force a penalty shootout, or win by four or more goals to advance directly to the semifinals.

In between, they will also have to visit Alaves in La Liga on Sunday. While the Champions League is the priority at the moment, the Merengues cannot afford to neglect the Spanish league, as they are currently in second place, 4 points behind Barcelona. A slip-up could leave them out of the title race and make this season even more disappointing.