Declan Rice

West Ham United captain Declan Rice's time at the World Cup has ended, after England fell to a 2-1 defeat to France last night.

[Nayef Aguerd’s](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/nayef-aguerd/) Morocco side have been the surprise package of the World Cup, although he’s picked up an injury. [Harry Kane](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/harry-kane/) could only convert one of his two spot kicks. [Speaking on Instagram after the match, Rice said](https://www.instagram.com/p/CmBf15rq8Xi/?hl=en): “The greater the talent, the greater the aim. [West Ham United captain Declan Rice took to Instagram after the match to reflect on his side’s defeat.](https://www.instagram.com/p/CmBf15rq8Xi/?hl=en) [Rice](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/declan-rice/) was one of England’s standout performers throughout the World Cup, forming a brilliant partnership with [Liverpool target Jude Bellingham](https://tbrfootball.com/liverpool-jude-bellingham-ben-jacobs-update-not-keen-on-psg/). [Alphonse Areola](https://tbrfootball.com/tag/alphonse-areola/) has been an unused substitute through the competition for France. [World Cup](https://tbrfootball.com/category/world-cup/) heartbreak last night, after a disappointing defeat to France.

England were dumped out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals by France to stretch the Three Lions' run of major tournament failures to 56 years - and West ...

He says: “I feel like it's starting to sway that way that we're getting back to a level where people are believing in us and the country is backing us. “I think there are so many players here - 19, 20, 21 year of age - who are stepping up on the biggest stage. In my opinion, the better team lost and that shows how far we have come. “We were really aggressive, created loads of chances - scored one great penalty, missed another but that's football. Rice cannot help reliving the agony, saying: “It's just really hard to process. “Ultimately,” says Rice, “international football is based on what you win and we haven't won for years.

Skipper Harry Kane skied a penalty as France won 2-1 at Al Bayt Stadium to set up a semi-final clash with Morocco.

It’s not on him at all – the tactics were right, we played the right way. “We were aggressive, we stopped (Kylian) Mbappe, he was quiet. “We obviously got to a Euros final, we’ve really progressed well as a team over the last few years and we really felt as a team – we weren’t overconfident – but we were confident enough to know that we could go out there and beat France and that’s the mentality switch that England have not had over the years. I think there’s a lot of criticism that’s not deserved. I think he’s taken us so, so far. I think he’s been brilliant for us.

DECLAN RICE reckons the “negativity” surrounding England will only disappear once the Three Lions actually win something.Yet with the next major t.

“This is tournament football and you can only look after the performance. In this game we lost but we did everything right and sometimes this in football, the best team doesn’t win. “I really hope he stays because of the core group that we've got and what he's made for us. “I know we lost. Some of the lads that haven’t even had a minute, every day around the group. “I think sometimes the negativity surrounding us will go away once we have won something again. It's not on him at all - the tactics were right, we played the right way. But we need to go again because ultimately, international football is based on what you win, we haven't won for years so that is what we want to try and do.” Amazing with every player in the team. “A few years ago, it wasn't like that. I think there's a lot of criticism that's not deserved. “There's a lot of talk around the manager.

Following England's World Cup exit, the pre-tournament statement of Declan Rice about an empty suitcase has been recirculated.

"It was actually for spare clothes! Hopefully I’ll bring home the trophy in this one." In the footage, Rice spoke with a driver about one extra suitcase he had brought.

West Ham United captain Declan Rice has said that England will be a better side for the experience of losing to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.

"The greater the aim, the greater the pain along the path to reaching it. Brazilian Sao Paulo defender profiled amid West Ham ‘free transfer’ links](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/luizao-profile-west-ham-transfer-25712856) [West Ham's Emerson opens up on Lucas Paqueta, Brazil, 2022 World Cup and Udinese clash](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/lucas-paqueta-brazil-world-cup-25711543) Following the heartbreaking nature of Rice and England's World Cup exit, Rice has posted a message to England fans, thanking them for their support in recent weeks. Thank you to everyone for your incredible support. Following Aurelien Tchouameni's first half stunner, England captain Harry Kane levelled the tie with a second half penalty. Olivier Giroud put France back ahead with a header, with Kane then getting another penalty, but smashed it over the bar, leading to England exiting at the last eight stage.

Declan Rice believes that England's game plan to stop Kylian Mbappe was perfect against France and shows why Gareth Southgate should remain the manager.

“A few years ago it wasn’t like that, so we can be really proud of ourselves as a group. “We really handled the occasion well tonight. It’s not on him at all - the tactics were right, and we played the right way. “We were aggressive, we stopped Mbappe, he was quiet. I think there’s a lot of criticism that’s not deserved. I think he’s been brilliant for us.