England manager Thomas Tuchel says he replaced midfielder Declan Rice at half-time during England’s World Cup 2026 quarter-final win over Norway, which finished 2-1. Tuchel’s explanation centers on Rice being unwell during the week leading up to the match. According to Tuchel, Rice had been ill and “bedridden” during the week, which affected how he could perform despite being named in the starting lineup. Both outlets report that Rice struggled with his illness during the match, prompting the tactical and personnel change at the start of the second half. The substitution is described as a response to Rice’s condition rather than a change driven solely by performance in a single phase of play. After Rice was taken off at the break, England continued their game plan and held on for the victory, reaching the next stage of the tournament. The reports agree on the timing of the change—at halftime—and on Tuchel’s stated reason: Rice’s illness.