Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes England were struggling with the physical side of the game against DR Congo and claimed that Declan Rice typified this lack of energy during his post-match analysis of the Three Lions’ dramatic 2-1 win in Atlanta.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were on the brink of a humiliating World Cup exit before captain Harry Kane stepped up with two late goals to rescue England, first cancelling out DR Congo’s early opener with a 75th-minute header before expertly doubling his tally 11 minutes later to seal a crucial victory.
Ibrahimovic, who played at two World Cups with Sweden during his career, declared that England were ‘suffering physically’ during the difficult contest and noticed that star midfielder Rice was struggling to impact the game with his usual running power.
‘We can discuss about details and that, but today I saw England suffering physically,’ Ibrahimovic told FOX Sports after the match.
‘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.
‘It is not how you win, it is important to win. Especially this England, they have a lot of pressure to win. Why, I don’t know. But they won and we are happy they went through in the tournament. Super happy for the tournament because we need England in this tournament.’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes England struggled ‘physically’ during their 2-1 win over DR Congo
He singled out Declan Rice as a player who struggled to run as explosively as he normally does
The midfielder was spotted icing his hamstring after being substituted against DR Congo
Rice missed England’s final group stage match against Panama as a precaution amid concerns over his hamstring but returned to the starting lineup versus DR Congo.
The Three Lions star, who was one of the standout players domestically last season after steering Arsenal to Premier League glory, has dipped below his usual high standards at the World Cup so far alongside Jude Bellingham and Elliot Anderson in midfield, despite still remaining a key part of the team.
Rice was spotted with an ice pack on his hamstring after being substituted for John Stones in England’s dramatic 2-1 win, sparking concern that his injury may be more troublesome than first feared.
After England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in the group stage, Rice said: ‘I’m ready, I’m fit, raring to go.
‘I think it was a smart decision (to be taken off). I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time.
‘Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that. It was all behind the scenes stuff.’
