Someone’s Final
Someone’s Final
Nearly 60,000 Spanish fans in the Nou Mestalla stadium, which could hold 70,000 spectators, were now silent collectively. This place had been instantly transformed from Spain's home ground into England's territory.
"This is a glorious moment in English football! We are now leading against the host team, Spain, by a score of 2:0 with 15 minutes to go before the end of the game! This also means that we are only 15 minutes away from England reaching the finals in the international tournament for the first time in fifty years!" John Motson roared excitedly into the microphone, his voice spreading across the whole of England via satellite.
All England fans cheered at his words. 15 minutes were just a blink of an eye, and they had entered the Bernabéu stadium, the venue for the final first.
The score of 2:0 also disheartened the Spaniards in the stadium. With 15 minutes left in the game and two goals behind, they had to score at least two goals within 15 minutes and also not let England score if they wanted to make it to the finals...It felt extremely difficult just thinking about it. Not to mention that they had to actually make it happen.
Not only the fans but also some among the Spanish players on the pitch had felt despair when the goal went in...
They were certain that they were outstanding players, but they had a feeling of their power fizzling out as if something went wrong somewhere.
Hierro sat in his seat and bit his lower lip so hard it turned white. His mind worked quickly, and he wondered what to do if he did not want to give up in such a situation.
After thinking about it for a long time, he determined that they must find a breakthrough point from George Wood's position. Wood was England's captain, core and linchpin. As long as he had a problem, England could collapse at the last minute.
The world of football was definitely not short of that kind of dramatic reversal. His Spanish team wanted to dedicate it to the fans just this once today!
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Twain's excitement lasted only a short time. Then he began to consider if he was going to bring Wood off at this point. Wood had a yellow card on him. Generally speaking, he should bring him off after taking a two-goal lead just to be safe. However, Twain knew that Spain would launch frenzied counterattacks after the game resumed. It would be the most dangerous time during that period. If they were not careful and accidentally allowed the other team to score a goal, the situation could be reversed in an instant. Then it would be Spain and not England that had the upper hand.
Keeping Wood on the field could solidify the defense.
Twain decided to leave Wood on the field for another five minutes after weighing the options. After managing to hold on for five minutes of Spain's most intense offensive, he would not delay for another second and bring Wood off to let him rest. With ten minutes left, they would defend the penalty area to the last so as to hold on to the two-goal advantage. When the time came, as long as God above did not surprise them, they should be able to get through.
As the England players finished celebrating the goal and began to run towards their own half of the field, Twain made a gesture to them on the sidelines to withdraw the defense. At this time, stability triumphed over everything. There would not be any opportunities for counterattacks.
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After the game resumed, not every Spaniard had given up the fight despite feeling the pain from the score as Twain had expected. As professional athletes, the accumulated experience of meeting with unfavorable situations helped them at critical times. Most importantly, in front of a crowd of 60,000 on their home ground, they did not want to miss the UEFA European Championship final hosted by their home country.
Hierro stood on the sidelines and stared at the field with a solemn expression as if he was sending out a message that he would never give up until the final whistle was blown!
In honor of such an opponent, the Royal Navy also raised the flag of Saint George. Wood remained on the field until Twain thought he could bring him off.
On the other hand, Gareth Barry was already warming up on the sidelines. He would replace Wood later - if nothing unexpected happened...
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"We're not really going to make him get a yellow card," Fàbregas got hold of several of his teammates during a dead ball and urged them in particular, "If he does get a yellow card, the situation will not be good for us. I'm sure he'll be determined to deal with us since he will be out of the next game anyway... Therefore, we're just going to put pressure on them. You don't really have to cause him to get a yellow card. Break through from him and don't fall to the ground with the slightest physical contact. Absolutely do not be like that! Our aim is not to try to position the ball in front of the penalty area, but to penetrate in there!"
Iniesta had already been taken off by Hierro, who brought on Cazorla and changed Lago to play in the middle. Fàbregas was now the only core and commander on the pitch. He had to keep a clear head.
"Only ten minutes left, don't give up! Don't ever give up!"
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George Wood found himself the target of a multitude of players once again. He was not afraid of such a challenge, even if it came at the cost of not being able to play in the final game. Because it was his principle, he would not hesitate when things came to a head. As long as the boss kept him on the field, it meant he was important and there was a task to complete yet. He would never back down until he had done his job.
Unfortunately, his teammates did not agree with his thinking.
Fàbregas had already warned his teammates not to focus on revenge against Wood and to find ways to create goals. However, Lago had his own ideas - what could be better than letting the opposing captain miss the next game in addition to getting his team into the finals?
Lago's thinking was based on the fact of him having a superb free-kick technique. The Spanish team's place kicks were now handed over to him to execute. Deliberately making Wood foul and causing him to get a yellow card while giving the Spanish team a free kick in front of the goal was entirely in line with Lago's interests.
However, it was not possible to create fouls at random. It had to be done as close as possible to the penalty area. It had to be close to the danger zone so that the other team's foul would be serious enough for the referee to pull out a card, and such a free-kick was more threatening.
When Lago received the ball, he did not pass the football to Fàbregas, who had already pulled out, saw the gap in the England team's defense and put his hand up for the ball. Instead, he chose to dribble on his own to seek a breakthrough. He was rather confident of his own dribbling skills...
"Idiot!" Fàbregas could not help but scold after he saw his teammate's decision. Looking back, England's rear defensive line had automatically made adjustments and the gap, which was exposed just now, instantly disappeared. He did not know when it would appear next time.
In this way, he wasted a chance to score, and Fàbregas was certainly furious. However, he could not get angry right now. He still had to work with his teammates.
Lago did not know Fàbregas was unhappy with what he had just done. Right now, he only had eyes for George Wood. He was going to take that guy down and save Spain with a free-kick!
It did not happen as he wanted, perhaps because he had too many distracting thoughts in his mind. As he approached Wood, Lago's own pace was in disarray and he did not control the ball. In the face of such dribbling, Wood easily intercepted the ball. Lago stumbled and ran for a few steps before he thought about falling. However, he did not achieve what he wanted... and he earned the derision of the England fans.
"The referee should give him a yellow card for such a poor dive!" Motson did not hold back his comments on the Spanish player.
The England team took the opportunity to organize a quick attack that threatened the Spanish goal again. Fortunately, Asenjo was focused this time, played well and caught the shot of Vaughan, who was in excellent form.
However, it had already upset Fàbregas, who was wearing the captain's armband. He waved at Lago and roared in complain that he shouldn't have acted alone just now.
Lago refused to comply and retorted with a remark.
Twain watched the scene happily off the pitch. It looked as if the Spaniards' patience was running out. When a team's players no longer believed that teamwork could open up the situation, but rather hoped to use individual skills to act as a hero, the team did not stand a chance...
Despite being slightly critical of Lago's performance just now, Fàbregas still passed the ball unselfishly the next time to Lago when he appeared at the right position. Then he ran to position himself, hoping to receive the ball from Lago.
This time Lago let Fàbregas down again and continued to dribble the ball away toward Wood. His emotional state was off. However, with two goals behind and time ticking away second by second in the game, it was understandable how unstable the emotions could be - everyone could have a moment of hotheadedness and irrationality. It was just that Lago was a little worse off than Fàbregas.
Wood went up to meet his opponent this time. He wanted to make the other side completely give up and let him know that he was an insurmountable mountain and that the other party was just like an ant before him.
Lago had waited for this. This time he had to get Wood to pay a heavy price!
However, the two men did not meet. Within five meters of distance between them, Mitchell, who was actively involved in the defense, knocked Lago down from the other side. The referee's whistle unsurprisingly sounded.
Mitchell fell to the ground with Lago, while Wood turned to the referee who was running over. His eyes were fixed on the other man's left arm, which was reaching into the pocket in front of his chest.
If he remembered correctly, Mitchell had already been shown a yellow card in the game against Sweden...
Mitchell apparently did not expect that one of his fouls would bring him a yellow card. He had wanted to show off to Wood by helping him stop another ploy, only to see that there was something wrong with Wood's expression. He followed Wood's gaze and turned to see the referee holding a yellow card in his hand!
Mitchell had realized the severity of the problem, and Twain was also exactly aware of what the yellow card meant for Mitchell: if England could successfully beat Spain, he would miss the most important game - the final!
"How can this be..." muttered Mitchell. Following which, he suddenly rushed to the referee, angrily trying to protest, but was held back by the quick-eyed George Wood, who dragged him back.
"Do you want to be shown a red card right away?" He shouted to Mitchell, who was struggling so hard.
Instead of quieting down, the man in his grip struggled more violently. "It's not fair!" He roared.
Wood could not continue to comfort Mitchell because if it had been he who fouled just now, he would have been given the yellow card instead. This location was too tricky, just a little before the penalty arc at the edge of the penalty area. If Lago had broken through him, he would face directly the center backs' defense led by Terry.
Not only Mitchell but also the rest of the England players were unhappy with the referee's decision. They surrounded the referee in the hope that he would withdraw the yellow card. However, how was that possible? A penalty decision made was like water that had splashed out...
Twain did not lash out off the field because he knew the area was tricky for fouls and the referee could give out cards based on his mood. Obviously, at this time the black-clad referee was not in a good mood...
He just turned around and asked Des Walker how Barry's warmup was. Looking at the situation, he could not continue to keep Wood on the field. Mitchell was a good example.
Barry took off his training vest as he ran to Twain's side. He knew he had finally gotten the chance to play.
"You will go on to replace George," Twain said to him.
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Meanwhile, on the pitch, the England players' protest to the referee was already over because it was of no use at all. Only Mitchell looked frustrated. A fantastic opportunity was right in front of him, but he was going to be a spectator... He was unable to accept the fact, but what could he do?
George Wood saw the fourth official raise the sign for substitution on the sidelines. The man standing next to the fourth official was Gareth Barry. He knew he was about to be replaced. He patted Mitchell's back and opened his mouth to say, "Thank you."
Then he took off the captain's armband and turned around to walk toward Terry, completing the transition of the team captain. He walked slowly to the sidelines, enjoying the standing ovation of the England fans.
"Twain has brought off Wood, apparently for the purpose of safeguarding him. Unfortunately, Mitchell will be absent from the next game, and that will very likely be the final..." Motson was glad for Wood while lamenting for Mitchell. He was also a little worried about England's fate in the final. Even though Mitchel did not score many goals, he was definitely a very useful center forward. With his passes, headers, and skills, he could even play as the center back on occasions in times of crisis. Such a comprehensive center forward would be able to increase the team's fighting power.
Wood walked to the sidelines and hugged Barry. Then he patted him on the shoulder to send him on the field and shook hands with Twain.
As he shook hands, he asked, "Why didn't you bring Mitchell off?"
Twain shook his head and said, "He has already been given a yellow card. What is the use of replacing him?"
Wood said nothing and turned to walk to the substitutes' bench. Accordingly, the assistant manager, Walker, handed him a towel. He flipped it over his head and sat in the chair without a word. He was still feeling sorry for Mitchell's fate...
The Spanish side had begun to prepare to carry out a free-kick, which would be personally handled by Lago himself. The ball drew an arc to bypass the human wall, and even evaded Joe Hart's ten fingers to drill into the goal!
At that moment, nothing could be heard in the Nou Mestalla stadium except the cheers of the Spanish fans. Even Twain himself could not hear the swear words he had uttered.
"We have recovered one goal! We've recovered one goal!" The Spanish commentator seemed to see hope.
Fàbregas, who had just been unhappy with Lago, also rushed up to give the other man a powerful hug.
Lago finally enjoyed a hero's treatment...
While the Spaniards were busy celebrating, Mitchell alone picked up the ball from the net and ran all the way to the center circle. Then he smashed the ball hard at the kickoff point. By the time he looked up again, his expression of frustration and anger had disappeared.
He rediscovered the value of being a striker.
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"Don't waste your time celebrating!" Hierro was on the sidelines, loudly reminding his players that they did not have time to do something like this. "Get back to the game quickly! One more goal! Seven minutes left!" He pointed to the watch at his wrist to the Spanish players on the pitch.
Even so, the Spanish players who had returned to their positions could not hide the smiles on their faces. They had already seen hope, and it was only seven minutes from the end of the 90-minute game. However, there was still the injury stoppage time...
After the game resumed, Mitchell suddenly stopped actively pulling back to defend. Instead, he stayed in front and kept raising his hand for the ball. Apart from Piqué paying more attention to him, the Spanish players paid him no mind. At this time, their heads were filled with thoughts of scoring a goal to even the score and complete the big reversal ...
In the final period, the Spanish team fully pressed on, and the Spanish fans in the stands kept making their voices heard to support the team as if they were injected with adrenaline. The singing of the England fans was completely overpowered.
However, when Barry sent a long pass over Mitchell's head, the sound came to an abrupt end.
Piqué was too concerned about locking in his position but was bypassed by Mitchell with a turn of his body. He lost his center of gravity and nearly fell to the ground, but he also lost his target.
Mitchell looked back at the Spanish players, who were desperately trying to come back to defend, and then looked up at the football from the corner of his eye. He was already outside the top of the penalty arc.
"How can you forget the defense?" The Spanish commentator asked angrily. But was it not too late to ask this question now?
Asenjo was probably also eager to ask his teammates this question, but now it was better to block the other side's one-on-one face-off first...
"Asenjo abandons the goal to strike. This is a one-on-one face-off with the goalkeeper! It's a great opportunity for Mitchell. If he can score the goal, we'll definitely go to the final!"
Seeing this scene, George Wood pulled off the white towel over his head and stood up from the substitutes' bench, staring nervously at the Spanish team's penalty area.
Not every one-on-one face-off with the goalkeeper would result in a goal. While the goalkeeper was under pressure, the lone striker also had to shoulder great pressure, which could very well be more than what the goalkeeper had to handle...
"Put it in, Aaron!" Twain, on the sidelines, gritted his teeth and roared. His fists were clenched tightly until the knuckles turned white. "This is your final! Put it in!"
Facing Asenjo, who had already struck at the spot near the penalty spot, Mitchell suddenly stopped and raised his right leg. The football just landed at the same time, as if everything had been calculated with precision. He did not shoot hard. He just lifted the top of his right foot... and the football leaped again and flew over Asenjo's head, drawing a parabolic line and crashing straight into the goal.
Since I can't go to the final, I'll just put the ball into the goal that is set aside for the final ahead of time, he thought.
Using my right foot to send the team to the final! There's nothing more to regret! That's right, there's nothing more...
The football brushed against the crossbar to fly over the goal line and ended up inside the goal.
Son of a bitch!
Mitchell was on his knees and fell to the ground.
The Nou Mestalla stadium was silent.
"It's one of the most beautiful arcs I've ever seen," in the quiet, John Motson sighed gently.