Leon Osman has praised Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice for making ‘an impact’ during his cameo appearance as England beat Malta in a Euro 2024 qualifier this Friday night.
The 24-year-old entered the tie as a 61st minute substitute for Jordan Henderson with the Three Lions leading 1-0. Enrico Pepe (8’) broke the deadlock with an early own goal. England would go on to win 2-0 thanks to Harry Kane (75’). But Rice even rippled the back of the net.
Rice thought he had his fourth goal for England in the 77th minute soon after Kane doubled their advantage. Malta gave the Arsenal anchor acres of space to surge forward as they kept tabs on Phil Foden instead. But a VAR review found a couple of players were in offside areas.
Arsenal ace Rice nearly scored a rare England goal against Malta
England boss Gareth Southgate would have revelled in seeing Rice surge forward before the Arsenal ace unleashed a powerful shot. His strike flew into the bottom corner of the net. But the VAR felt the Three Lions players in offside zones restricted the goalkeeper’s line of sight.
Kane was among the offside players but it was hard to argue the Bayern Munich striker was blocking Henry Bonello’s view. The goal would have been Rice’s fourth with England through 47 caps so far. He last found the back of the net as the Three Lions beat Italy 2-1 this March.
Osman praises Rice’s impact from Southgate’s bench at Wembley
Arsenal have seen Rice score twice and lay on two assists since taking the England ace from West Ham United. The Gunners paid a club-record fee for the 24-year-old, who has become an essential player for Mikel Arteta. He has played in 18 of the Gunners’ 19 games this term.
Those at Emirates Stadium watching England beat Malta would have loved the role Rice had in the Euro 2024 qualifier. Former Everton midfielder Osman certainly enjoyed what the 47-cap international offered off the bench. He certainly admired Rice’s goal whilst it still stood.
“He has certainly made an impact since he’s come on,” Osman said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “He drives forward and has one thing in his mind: to put this team on the back foot.
“That run from Foden makes the space for him and he picks his spot and curls it into that far post. It’s a brilliant third goal for England.”
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