Crisis averted? Could Declan Rice at right-back be the tactical switch that solves England's defensive woes at the FIFA World Cup?

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England appeared to be devoid of ideas as they approached the 70th minute of their round of 32 clash with DR Congo on Wednesday. The Three Lions were trailing 1-0 in Atlanta following Brian Cipenga’s stunning seventh-minute opener, and heading out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Thomas Tuchel's right flank of Djed Spence and Noni Madueke had failed to deliver, and Bukayo Saka's introduction in the 60th minute had yet to have the desired impact.

However, the game swung in England's favour following an innovative change ten minutes later that left many fans scratching their heads.

The move saw Arsenal star Eberechi Eze come on for Spence to join the midfield, with Declan Rice moving to right-back.

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It could have been remembered as a desperate move by Tuchel in the closing stages of a historic England World Cup exit, but instead, it worked wonders.

Eze and Rice linked up with some intricate play down the right wing in the 75th minute before switching the ball to Anthony Gordon, who proceeded to get the assist for Harry Kane’s equaliser.

Then, Gordon fed Kane's ferocious winner with four minutes of normal time remaining to set up a mouth-watering clash with Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last 16.

England have a long list of concerns heading into that crucial game: the partisan Mexico City crowd, their opponent's watertight defence and the altitude, to name a few.

To make matters worse, injuries to Reece James, Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah have left England without many options at right-back.

James could be back in time for Mexico, but could Tuchel have stumbled upon a different solution to England's worries at right-back?

Who came up with the idea?

Rice has been deployed at right-back on a couple of occasions for Arsenal in recent years, with varying levels of success.

However, the position fit him like a glove against DR Congo, with Tuchel explaining that it was assistant manager Anthony Barry who came up with the idea.

"It's something to take away," he said. "Anthony Barry had a brilliant idea in the end, when we were discussing it to put Declan there.

"And with Ebs [Eze], we had a bit more connection and help on the right side that helped to open it up so full credit to my assistant coach."

What did Rice think?

The move allowed Rice to show off his crossing skills while giving England a lot more control of the ball in possession.

The improved passing ability of England's right side also created space for the likes of Gordon and Nico O'Reilly on the left.

However, the Premier League champion revealed afterwards that he found life much harder in his new position than he did in the centre of England's midfield.

"It was probably the hardest 12 minutes of the game having a stint at right-back," he told the BBC. "In games like that, it was probably too much of a basketball match at times, back and forth, and we had to take the sting out of it because they have fast wingers.

"I think we made more hard work of it than we needed to. I have played there two or three times this season, I know the role, it is probably not my biggest strength, but to do anything for the team and the manager.

"[With] 12 minutes left, I said I would do my best, and I think I did well there. Let's see what happens next game, but hopefully, I don't have to be at right back."

Will it work again?

Rice may get his wish, with James and Quansah both racing to be fit for the clash with Mexico.

Tuchel confirmed that they are both close to a return after the win in Atlanta.

"I saw both of them on the pitch," he said. "Jarrell is a little bit ahead of Reece, but the race was close, even to make it into the squad this time."

Still, there will be calls from some corners to start Rice at right-back at the Azteca.

It could be a mistake.

The decision would rob England of an experienced partnership, with Rice paired alongside Elliot Anderson, in the heart of their midfield.

There is also a big difference between playing 12 minutes at right-back against an exhausted DR Congo and playing 90 minutes at right-back at altitude against a confident Mexico side.

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