Declan Rice ready to ‘run through brick wall’ as England aim for Euro 2024 glory

Declan Rice has insisted he is prepared to “run through a brick wall” to put England on the path to Euro 2024 glory.

The Arsenal midfielder has played every minute of England’s campaign in Germany so far and will be a key factor in the outcome of Sunday’s final against Spain.

Against the likes of Pedri, Dani Olmo and Rodri, Rice will need to be at the top of his game alongside teenage midfield partner Kobbie Mainoo.

We will all run through a brick wall to do anything to win this game.

Declan Rice

Rice has covered more distance than any other player throughout the tournament and no one has won the ball back more than the £105million man.

He is now set to take the same approach to Berlin’s Olympiastadion as Gareth Southgate’s side aim for a first major men’s trophy in 58 years.

“The first two games I felt more tired than I did today. As the adrenaline got going, as the games got more intense, it gave me a little more energy, a little more fire,” Rice said.

“I think now, especially on Sunday, we’re all going to be punching our way through a wall to do everything in our power to win this game – whether it’s 90 minutes or 120 minutes – we’ll give absolutely everything and that’s all we can ask for.”

But it is not just effort and will that Rice believes can get England over the line, as he praised the way Southgate’s side now operate in possession.

“I never felt like we got that love and credit for how we actually guard the ball,” he said.

“We have done that very well recently, even against Switzerland we kept the ball very well in the final third.

“Against Spain, we’re going to have to play with it. We’re going to have to be able to control the game, to make the game calmer, because Spain, if we look at the years that go by, are the queens of football and the passing game. So we’re going to have to use all our experience and everything we have to try to control the game.”

Rice has been working under Mikel Arteta since last summer, following his club-record move from West Ham.

He revealed he spoke to the Spaniard during the tournament and Arteta’s loyalties could be divided on Sunday night.

“I talked to Mikel. He was great,” Rice added.

“We had a phone call the other day. We talked for about 10 minutes. It was good. It was nice to talk to him, I haven’t talked to him since the end of the season.

“Then he sent me a message the other night saying ‘Vamos’ when we get to the final. I’m sure he’ll be separated, obviously because he’s Spanish, but he’s also got boys in the team who are English.

“It was difficult for him, but he wished me the best, so I’m happy about that.”

England are hoping to end a near six-decade wait for a men’s trophy, having come agonisingly close to achieving it at Euro 2020 before losing the final on penalties to Italy.

“As far as Euro 2020 goes, it hurt. It still hurts today,” Rice said.

“Seeing Italy come into our stadium and lift that trophy is something that stays with you as a football player.

“But the beauty of football is that you have the opportunity to create new memories. We have that chance on Sunday. We know it will be difficult.”

“Whatever line-up Gareth chooses for this final, I think we’re all really confident that we can improve on the last final and show that we’ve learned what it takes to win a final.”