From Arsenal to the Ball God

The mindset of both teams’ players clearly changed, having each breached the other’s goal within a short span, giving them ample confidence and allowing them to be more carefree in their shooting choices.

Because of this, they created numerous good opportunities.

In the 37th minute of the match, Germany almost managed to score 2 goals in 3 minutes consecutively. It was once again Mario Gomez, who posed a threat with his specialty header, almost breaking through Lori’s goal.

Luckily, Mvira, who had retreated, was standing at the far corner of the goal, used his stomach to block the ball, and kicked it toward the front court.

”Boom!”

Three minutes later, after Ma’el broke through on the left, he launched a dipping shot. The ball deflected off Hummels’ shoulder, heading towards the far corner of the goal, causing countless Germans to be anxious once more.

”Clang!” At the crucial moment, it was the crossbar that stopped the shot, with the ball grazing the upper edge of the crossbar and flying out of bounds.

Ma’el immediately held his face regretfully, loudly complaining that his luck wasn’t too good.

”Beep!”

Perhaps because the shooting action was too fast, the referee didn’t see clearly and pointed to the small penalty area and awarded Germany a goal kick.

”What?!”

This made Ma’el very dissatisfied, entangling with the referee, complaining with open hands as he approached, only backing off when he sensed the referee’s impatience and was worried about getting carded.

With this goal kick, Germany once again posed a threat in front of the France team’s goal.

”Boom!”

Reus, from the attacking mid position, swept the ball across the right, and three Germany players in the middle went in with sliding shots, barely missing the ball with an outer curve.

”Ah...!” The sighs of disappointment from the Germany fans dominated the stadium, and at this time, Lori made a long pass directly seeking Ma’el in the front field position.

Because Germany had just pressed forward overwhelmingly, there were only three defenders at the back, who faced the pressure from both Ma’el and Giroud.

”Retreat to defend!”

Hummels commanded Boateng to retreat, positioning himself next to Ma’el, preparing to compete for the high ball with him.

In fact, he wasn’t confident either; Ma’el’s physique was similar to Gomez’s or even stronger, making contesting high balls not an ideal choice.

But there was no choice; allowing the opponent to stop and turn was less ideal, letting them head the ball and rely on fortune was a better strategy.

So, both jumped simultaneously as the ball was about to reach the top of their heads.

Mid-jump, Hummels realized he was fooled; Ma’el only made a slight jump to deceive him, not really intending to compete for the header.

And he was busy interfering with Ma’el, not noting the ball’s actual landing point, assuming the opponent’s judgment was close enough, and jumped along to press the opponent, unaware of where the ball would land.

In mid-air, he saw the ball landing right in front of Ma’el!

”Smack.....!”

Ma’el elegantly flicked the ball with the outside of his foot, leaving Hummels no chance to foul by pulling, seamlessly passing and surpassing, and sprinting towards Germany’s backfield position upon turning.

By the time Hummels turned around, he had already surpassed him by five to six meters.

”A beautiful flick over the defender! I’ve always said, Ma’el’s ball control is world-class! It’s precisely because of his solid fundamental skills that he can gain more space for breakthroughs and shooting!

”He seems to leap into an elegant waltz near the center circle! But his waltz always fools excellent center-backs like Hummels!

”That’s why he’s worth 105 million Euros! I believe his performance in the European Cup will increase his value further!

”Now the problem is left to Boateng, Ma’el’s ball carrying covers a lot of ground, do you dare to rush forward suddenly to intercept? If not, then he can only be confronted one-on-one in the penalty area!

”Both choices are difficult! Badstuber on the other side, due to defending Giroud, can hardly offer support, and still needs to watch out for Ma’el’s passing!”

”.....”

Even though Ma’el intentionally carried the ball long every time, enticing Boateng to come forward to intercept, the opponent still steadied himself, retreating to the penalty area, forcing Ma’el to slow down slightly.

This was a good choice, but once in the penalty area, his threat would only grow.

Ma’el could see the fear and despair on Boateng’s face, he tried to put himself in the opponent’s shoes, realizing he might feel the same.

The scariest situation is not making the wrong choice, but that even making the right choice could lead to a wrong result.

Seeing Boateng lowering his center of gravity, taking a stance, Ma’el suddenly turned sideways, planting his right foot mysteriously on the ground as the supporting foot, supporting the whip-like violence with which his left foot struck the ball.

”Boom!!”

With the outside of his left foot, he spun the ball up, endowing it with intense curve and speed, slicing towards the goal like a curved blade.

The outside foot did its job!

As a top-class goalkeeper, Neuer wasn’t unresponsive to such a shot; he threw himself, extending a large black hand towards the ball, but it brushed past his fingertips.

”Swoosh!!”

Upon landing, hearing the thud of the ball hitting the net behind him, he also despaired. In less than a half, they’d been smashed through three times by France’s counter-attack, how the hell were they supposed to play?

Is Ma’el even human?!

At the instant he hit the ground, he saw Boateng still standing in the same posture, only his head turned to look at him, like a fool, still not realizing how the ball went in.

Neuer: ”.....”

Boateng: ”.....”

The two stared at each other, then they also exchanged the same look with Löf on the sidelines.

”Yeahhhhh.....!!”

”Ma’el!!”

The stadium erupted in cheers for the fourth time, as goal fest always brings out the fans’ overflowing emotions, allowing them to experience unprecedented passion.

”Dang dang dang dang.....!”

France team fans reacted quickly, and after the first wave of shouts, they sang out the new Song of Ma’el that had spread among fan circles: ”Handsome young man, miraculous feet.....! Bullet-speed deadly long shots and insane headers.....!

”He’s fired up! There’s no choice but to admire and watch him.....!”

”Hey now.....! Full speed ahead! Strive for victory! Because no one shines like you!

”There’s only one Leon... Ma’el in this world!!”

Under the chorus, Ma’el excitedly ran past the bewildered Boateng, leaping and punching every two to three steps, ”Come on.....!! Come on.....!!”

The eighth goal in the European Cup!

The most crucial part is that with a brace in the first half, he saw the hope of achieving a hat-trick in this match, directly matching the record!

Platini once scored 9 goals in 5 European Cup matches, and now he also had a chance to score 9 goals in 5 matches against higher-level modern football competition!

Upon reaching the sideline, he stood with his feet apart and clenched his fists, spreading his arms, finally roaring towards the singing fans in the stands, ”Yeah.....!!”

At this moment, he felt that Liv Stadium belonged to him, the whole world belonged to him, all eyes were on him.

...

ps: Tomorrow, still aiming for two updates, everyone supervise, if not updated, then scold.