From Arsenal to the Ball God

”France! They’ve taken the lead! Giroud, soaring in the European Cup midway through, has become just as much a hero as Ma’el!!

”Look at how happy he is, I think if someone asked him how many goals from Ligue 1 he would trade for this goal, he would likely say all of them!

”Look again at the relief in Ma’el’s eyes, I believe he must be thankful at this moment for saving them at the last moments, holding up the collapsing building in regular time!!

”He’s made this France team what it is now!! They’re standing with one foot on the podium!”

”...”

Saint Casillas sits helplessly in front of the goal, but this time he gets up quickly..... Since they’re trailing, they can’t be so passive, they must rally and come back in the remaining time.

”Clap clap.....!” Coach Bosque, looking anxious, can only clap his hands to encourage the players. This seems to be all anyone can do at this moment.

”Keep going! We have the initiative, we just need one goal!”

He gestured for the players to quickly move forward to their offensive positions, ”Come on, come on!! Remember your mission!! Go defend our glory!”

Spanish players, heads down, step by step came near the center circle. After setting the ball, they watch the France players celebrate, many extend their hands toward the referee.

The referee indicates for them to calm down, pointing at his watch, meaning he is keeping time and will provide injury time.

As France players return, they inevitably lock eyes with a fierce-eyed array of Spanish players, knowing an intense battle still awaits them.

”Whistle!”

The referee blows, Torres, subbed in as the center forward, kicks off from the center circle, and Spain players swiftly cross the half and begin to encircle.

Ma’el leads the France players to take defensive positions, leaving only Giroud at the front.

Taking advantage of a dead ball moment, he checks the time; it’s already 102 minutes, with the first half of extra time nearing its end!

He breathes a sigh of relief, lowers his center of gravity, and waits for the opponent’s next attack.

Playing against such opponents, the pressure of defense indeed is much greater than that of attack; even he, at times, seems a bit flustered, easily led by the opponent’s passing.

”Spain is looking for opportunities from the flank! But with France players pulling back, the flank is tightly guarded, nearing a 6-3-1 defense setup!

”Still no chances on the wings, Ma’el almost intercepted the ball from Iniesta’s feet!

”With this, Spain might aim to play the ball into the penalty area or utilize Torres’ hold-up play to create some long shot opportunities.

”Let’s see now! Fabregas! A threatening low shot, but just slightly off!”

”.....”

Ma’el watches the ball glide out of bounds, feeling reassured, and checks the time again, nearly at 104 minutes.

The fourth official quickly raises the stoppage time board again, with only 1 minute added to the first half of extra time, which draws dissatisfaction from the Spanish players. However, they have no time to complain.

”Whistle! Whistle—!”

One minute later, the referee blows the whistle signaling the end of the first half of extra time, with France leading 2-1, moving into half-time.

”Yeah.....!” Ma’el fiercely waves his right fist at the whistle sound, exchanges high-fives, and embraces several players beside him.

Halfway to victory, rest well during half-time, hold out for the last 15 minutes, and the De Lorne Cup is within reach!

”The final clash will be chaotic, get ready mentally.”

Deschamps seriously advises each player at half-time, ”Spain might create 2-3 chances for encirclement, don’t worry, hold your positions, and protect our goal!

”At times, Giroud should assist in guiding the direction of his pressing, try to change their attacking direction, let them attack the weak side!

”Alright! The match is drawing to a close, withstand their final madness, and then go lift the cup!”

”Go.....!” All players placed their right hands together, hitting the ground heavily under a wave of motivation.

Deschamps, still somewhat worried, continued his reminders before they took to the field, ”Don’t stretch your legs inside the penalty box! Absolutely do not give them penalties! Also, take note to delay time, protect the ball when you get the chance!

”Believe in yourselves, leading means we definitely have the ability to snatch the championship from their feet!”

The French players, amid his nagging, step onto the field, taking a deep breath and preparing to meet the final challenge of the chaotic battle.

”Whistle!!” The referee blows the whistle, marking the final 15 minutes of the European Cup’s decisive match, officially underway.

”Viewers! Viewers! Perhaps the players have forgotten everything, fully immersed in the battle!

”But we certainly know, the eyes of hundreds of millions around the world are focused on them, anxious to see who finally lifts the De Lorne Cup!

”The final result will be revealing soon! If France wins, it would be an upset victory, though not too shocking, because they have Ma’el!

”Spain’s aggressive interceptions, they start controlling the ball, Busquets is seeking methods to quicken the rhythm, how much stamina do they have left? Can they sustain fast breaks?”

”.....”

At this moment, we can say, the last sigh of energy within the players of both sides is nearly exhausted.

Most times, they are entirely relying on their willpower to run; each player’s legs are weak, driven only by the mind commanding the legs to mechanically step in a direction.