# Rice targets top form against Spain after calling his World Cup average

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/declan-rice-accepts-he-had-an-average-world-cup-as-england-gear-up-for-spain-showdown/
- Published: 2026-11-14T20:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-14T20:47:51+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/nov/14/declan-rice-england-spain-nations-league-world-cup-thomas-tuchel
- Topics: Entertainment, Europe, Football, Sport, TV, UK, World

## Key points

- Rice calls his World Cup average after a 69-match season.
- Time off helped him recover and regain form.
- England must beat Spain to top their Nations League group.

## Summary

Declan Rice said his World Cup was “average” by his standards after a season of 69 matches, when hamstring nerve pain affected his fitness. He believes time away from England duty helped him recover and improve, and hopes to reach his best level against Spain in Sunday’s Nations League match.

Rice was rested from England’s first four Nations League ties after telling manager Thomas Tuchel he did not feel right. He has since returned to form for Arsenal and earned his 81st England cap against Croatia. England must win in Madrid to finish top of their group and move ahead of world champions Spain; James Trafford is set to start in goal.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.