Overview
- Declan Rice provided the corner that Harry Kane headed in during England’s 4-2 opening win over Croatia, giving the team a clear dead-ball payoff.
- Rice told BBC Sport he now expects to create chances from corners and wide free-kicks and said England fans can be excited by the threat.
- Rice credits Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nico Jover and manager Mikel Arteta with identifying and developing his corner and free-kick delivery.
- Thomas Tuchel has prioritised set-piece planning in England’s World Cup preparation and practised Arsenal-style routines while managing player minutes and minor fitness concerns.
- Arsenal’s season-long success from dead balls — including large totals reported from corners and set plays — provides the template England hope will yield repeatable scoring opportunities in the tournament.