Wembley Stadium descended into pandemonium once Harry Kane had scored for England against Germany. The goal decided the 2020 European Championship Round of 16 encounter in favour of the English, and the fans supporting the Three Lions were sent into delirium in the 86th minute – but while it was sheer ecstasy for the supporters, it was not just that for Declan Rice.
It was a mixture of ecstasy and agony for the West Ham midfielder, who pulled up with a cramp attack right before Kane scored his goal and wheeled away in celebration with the rest of the Three Lions’ contingent.
As the England players were piling up on top of each other by the corner flag, the substitutes and the backroom staff were in pursuit of the parade as well – all with the exception of Rice who simply crumpled to the ground in a heap, quite visibly in pain.
Rice visibly wanted to join his teammates by the corner flag, but his pain prevented him from doing so. The 21-year-old was soon taken off and replaced by Jordan Henderson, marking a painful end to what was an afternoon partly credited to his and Kalvin Phillips’ resistance against Toni Kroos and Leon Goretzka.
Rice held his own against one of the best midfield duos around as he left it all on the pitch for England’s cause.
