Football fans are known for having short memories, and few stories at the 2026 FIFA World Cup highlight that better than the recent turnaround in opinions surrounding Declan Rice’s corner deliveries.
For much of the last club season, Rice faced criticism from rival supporters whenever he stepped up to take corners for Arsenal. Social media was filled with jokes, memes, and claims that the England midfielder’s set-piece deliveries were overrated or ineffective.
Fast forward to the World Cup, and the narrative appears to have completely changed.Rice’s corners have become one of England’s most dangerous attacking weapons, creating chances, causing chaos in opposition penalty areas, and directly contributing to goals. The same rival fans who once mocked his deliveries are now applauding the quality and accuracy of his set pieces as England continue their World Cup campaign.
A Key Weapon for England. Set pieces have always been a crucial part of tournament football. In tight matches where opportunities are limited, a well-delivered corner can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Rice has embraced that responsibility for England. His deliveries have consistently found teammates in dangerous positions, forcing defenders into mistakes and giving England an added dimension in attack.
The midfielder’s ability to whip dangerous balls into the box has become a major talking point among supporters and pundits alike.
Football fans were quick to notice the irony.
Many supporters pointed out that some of the loudest critics of Rice’s corners during the club season are now celebrating the same deliveries because they are benefiting the England national team.
Posts and memes highlighting the sudden change in opinion have gone viral, with fans joking that Rice’s corners were only “bad” when they were helping Arsenal. The debate once again demonstrates how club rivalries can influence perceptions of players, only for those opinions to shift when national team success is involved.
England’s success from dead-ball situations is no accident. Modern football places huge emphasis on set-piece routines, and Rice’s deliveries have become a central part of England’s attacking strategy.
Whether it’s finding a teammate at the near post, delivering deep crosses to the back stick, or creating second-ball opportunities, his corners have repeatedly put opponents under pressure. As England continue their quest for World Cup glory, Rice’s ability to produce quality deliveries could prove decisive in the biggest moments of the tournament.
Declan Rice’s World Cup performances are proving a simple point: quality remains quality, regardless of what rival fans might say. The midfielder’s corner deliveries are helping England create goalscoring opportunities on football’s biggest stage, and the praise he is receiving now stands in stark contrast to the criticism he previously endured. Football can be funny sometimes. One minute you’re being mocked, the next you’re being celebrated. And for Declan Rice, those corners suddenly seem to look a lot better now that they’re helping England win.