Arsenal midfielder scores for the 2nd international break in a row | OneFootball

Declan Rice scored for the second international break in a row with a late effort for England against Finland on Sunday evening.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of England reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

England made a disappointing start to the international break, losing to Greece and losing Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to injury.

Gunners teammate Declan Rice had played the full 90 minutes of that match, so he was one of the players looking to put things right against Finland on Sunday.

He and England did exactly that, with Rice scoring to make it 3-0 in the 84th minute. The midfielder was promptly withdrawn for a rest, and a late Finland consolation goal didn’t change the result.

HELSINKI, FINLAND: Declan Rice of England during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between Finland and England at Helsinki Olympic Stadium on October 13, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Rice’s goal came from a typically hard-working run into the area. While others in the team watched on from a distance as Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden countered, Rice kept sprinting up the pitch and eventually found himself with a tap-in.

As well as the goal, Rice completed 96% of his 80 passes in a confident display in possession.

ITV’s Sam Matterface called Rice “one of [England’s] better performers” in the aftermath of the goal, though Trent Alexander-Arnold ended up winning the Player of the Match award.

Alexander-Arnold was playing out of position at left-back, and he netted a fine free-kick for England’s second goal. It was always going to be difficult to win the award over him.

But Rice will be pleased to have made it three goal contributions in four games with England, after his goal and assist against Ireland last month.

HELSINKI, FINLAND: Declan Rice of England acknowledges the fans as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between Finland and England at Helsinki Olympic Stadium on October 13, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Rice is a rare Arsenal player to play a full part in the international break and to come out of it on the back of a positive performance.