From Arsenal to the Ball God

”The physical ability of both teams’ players has declined quite seriously. You can notice that some of them have to lean forward to increase speed when running!

”Especially the French team players, in the past few minutes, two people have already stumbled because they couldn’t stop in time.

”Deschamps is making the final substitution, Ben Arfa is ready to come on, and he’s going all out!

”Let’s see the opportunity for the Spain team! Iniesta takes a shot! And there’s a chance for a rebound!!”

”.....”

”Bang!”

On the right side of the penalty area, Iniesta shot with his right foot at the ball that was blocked back by the defender, trying to hit a far corner.

The football flew towards the goal practically skimming the ground, already bypassing Lori’s ten-finger defense, but in the end, it rolled out beside the far post.

Just missed it!

”Ah...!” Spain’s fans were quite regretful. Listening to their voices, Iniesta also wiped his face remorsefully, thinking of the World Cup final in 2010 when he scored the winning goal from the same position with a pass from Xiaofa.

At that very moment, how he wished to channel his former self, but times have changed, and he couldn’t find that feeling anymore.

Now, he is much steadier, but compared to then, less sharp.

Come on, let’s do it again!

The game must continue, and to retain the championship, we must keep fighting!

”Whistle!”

The referee blew the whistle to pause, pointed to the side of the field, and indicated that France could make a substitution.

Yohan Cabaye ran off the field. He had a large defensive range today and is one of the players with more severe physical exhaustion. Substituting him is a good choice.

”Bang!”

Goalkeeper Lori immediately issued a goal kick, aiming the ball towards the middle in an attempt to find Giroud, letting him play the role of distributor.

Ramos and Giroud both jumped, with other Spain team players quickly approaching Ma’el’s position. They know that if Giroud can head the ball, it will most likely be flicked back to Ma’el.

”Screech!” Giroud managed to surpass Ramos in this aerial duel, but he anticipated Spain’s anticipation and chose to look for Nasri on the right.

A change!

The French team’s offensive round!

The ball bounced once on the field and landed in Nasri’s path. Although Alba was very fast, he was blocked by Nasri from advancing and couldn’t sprint freely.

”Thump... Bang!”

Nasri quickly controlled the ball, tapping it closer to the middle, completely cutting off Alba’s recovery path and making Ramos’s chase extremely difficult.

The opportunity has come!

Nasri is about to break into the penalty area!

A very sudden counterattack!

”Ma’el played a drawing role; at the end of regular time, he scored an equalizer goal that stole the souls of all Spain’s players!

”Nasri was left open, and Giroud’s perfect aerial duel created a threat for the French team! This is the value of a center forward!

”Nasri is about to enter the penalty area, with Giroud and Ma’el both running in from the other side; there clearly aren’t enough defenders in Spain’s penalty area!”

”.....”

”Bang!”

On the right side of the penalty area, Nasri saw Casillas advancing and passed the ball horizontally towards the middle.

The speed of the ball was very fast, and it was far from both the attacking and defending players, appearing unreachable to anyone.

But Nasri, being a top player, certainly wouldn’t lay such a trap at this moment.

He calculated it within the distance for an attacking player to slide in with full force without hesitation. Passing like this only made it harder for the defenders to touch the ball. Defensive players cannot make forward movements like attacking players.

”Screech...!”

In the center, Giroud hurled his body forward, and at the last moment, his foot struck the ball, directing it into the unguarded goal.

The ball is in again!

France team 2-1!

They’ve overtaken the score!

In just 10 minutes, they have risen from hell to heaven, now closer to the European Cup championship!

”Ahaaaa.....Wow.....!!” The cheers of the French fans ignited the entire Warsaw National Stadium, in stark contrast with the silent Spain’s fans.

This was absolutely an unexpected goal. Before this, no one could have expected that the French team would score first in the extra time!

They were clearly in worse physical condition and overall weaker.

But football makes everything possible. These unpredictable variables give the sport its endless charm!

”Whoa.....!!”

Giroud stuck out his tongue and spread his wings like a mighty eagle, running domineeringly towards Nasri, who sent him the pass.

On the other side, Ma’el also quickly ran towards him, raising his arms in celebration several times along the way. His equalizer at the end of regular time is still amplifying its importance.

The teammates have also contributed to this team. Now, they have completely turned the tide!

”Yes.....!” He tightly clenched his fist, looking for Giroud to celebrate while glancing back at the European Cup trophy placed on the sidelines.

If this score holds, he will soon lift it high right here!

Not rushing, he joined Giroud’s side, leaping into the air and joining in the joyful celebration.

”Champions!!”

”We made it through!”

”Let’s defend well; we’ve overcome such difficult times! We can definitely smile to the end!”

”Ole ole.... ole.....!”

Seven or eight players from the French team gathered at the corner flag area, cheering and jumping in celebration. Some also ran towards the sidelines, jumping on Deschamps to celebrate with the Basque head coach.