"Brilliant!!!"
"A wonder goal!!!"
"Bernardo fires in a wonder goal as well!!!"
"4–3!!! Portugal have turned it around!!!"
"What a strike!!!"
Derek Rae's voice surged with excitement.
"Portugal take the lead in the 72nd minute. Another beautifully executed counterattack!"
"Santos' counterattacking setup is incredibly dangerous. I have always believed that, to a certain extent, a well-drilled counterattack can naturally counter possession-based football. You can see that clearly in the repeated clashes between Manchester City and Liverpool."
The sudden shift left Spain trailing.
"If it stays like this, Portugal will secure qualification from the group."
"And with Morocco beating Iran 2–0 in the other match, they now have three points as well. That means the battle for second place is still wide open."
"Spain cannot afford to lose this game. Otherwise, they lose control of their own fate in the group."
Diego Costa quickly picked up the ball and ran it back to his own half, waiting for play to restart.
Every Spanish fan was on their feet. Not a single person sat down. Anxiety was written all over their faces.
Across the world, numerous national team players were watching the match live.
"Do you think Spain can still equalize?" Pogba asked Mbappe.
"Yes." Mbappe kept his eyes on Leo Lin.
"There is something special about him. He can make anything happen."
After the restart, Portugal became even more committed to defending and counterattacking, throwing numbers behind the ball and fully embracing the essence of Mourinho-style deep defending.
"From Portugal's defensive structure, it is clear Mourinho has likely given Santos some input. A combination of zonal coverage and a chain-like defensive setup makes their backline extremely solid."
They needed a chance. Everyone knew it. Spain needed one moment.
The Spanish players kept driving forward with the ball again and again.
In midfield especially, Leo Lin began to push up more aggressively, increasing his one-on-one attempts.
79th minute.
"Moutinho under heavy pressure."
"Back pass. That was nearly a mistake!"
"Pepe follows up and launches a long clearance forward. Quaresma goes up for it, but Busquets wins the header!"
"Central area. Leo Lin picks it up and drives forward!"
"He is accelerating quickly with the ball!"
Leo Lin surged ahead, dribbling at speed and shifting the ball repeatedly.
Moutinho stepped in from the front. William Carvalho closed from the side. Bernardo Silva tucked in centrally.
Three men converging.
Leo Lin planted his foot and exploded forward, squeezing through the narrow gap between William Carvalho and Bernardo Silva before they could shut him down. Then he powered through, forcing his way past both to complete the break.
Moutinho rushed in and grabbed at him. He had no choice.
Leo Lin tried to stay on his feet, but Bernardo Silva spun around and joined in. The two combined to bring him down.
"Foul. The referee blows for it!"
"Spain have a free kick in a very dangerous position!"
"They have several excellent takers. David Silva, Iniesta, and Diego Costa are all standing over it, and Costa looks eager."
Almost every Spanish player wanted it. It was too good a chance to ignore.
Then Hierro stepped to the touchline and shouted toward the pitch.
"Let Lin take it!"
"Let Lin take it!!!"
Hierro's stance was absolute. This free kick belonged to Leo Lin.
No one questioned the manager. The players immediately stepped aside.
Leo Lin walked up, kissed the ball, then set it carefully on the turf, turning the valve toward himself.
The broadcast cut to the stands. Every Spanish fan looked tense.
Excitement, fear, hope, dread. All of it collided at once.
Time was running out.
In the broadcast studio, Casillas was already on his feet, his hands trembling slightly.
"Easy, Iker. Watch your heart," a colleague murmured beside him, but at this moment, no Spain supporter could stay calm.
On the pitch, the Spanish players tried to steady themselves. Leo Lin began taking slow, controlled breaths.
Portugal quickly formed a tall defensive wall. Cristiano Ronaldo stood among them, his eyes locked on Leo Lin, uncertain of what would come next.
Across the Iberian Peninsula, in central squares, along the streets of Madrid, in Mallorca's central parks, and countless other places, Spanish fans packed every open space.
All of them held up the national crest, staring at Leo Lin on the screen.
Wearing Spain's red shirt, Leo Lin adjusted the ball and fixed his shin guards.
A final deep breath.
Five steps back.
One step across.
Set.
Focus.
In that instant, the world fell silent. Leo Lin felt as though he was the only person left.
He began his run-up.
His arm lifted.
His leg swung through.
His eyes locked onto the strike point, ensuring perfect contact.
Zola's Rainbow Free Kick skill flared to life.
"Pop!"
A crisp, clean sound.
The ball lifted into the air, clearing the wall.
Cristiano Ronaldo leaped, trying to head it away.
His hair brushed the underside of the ball, but only just.
Before he even landed, Ronaldo twisted around to look back. Patrício reacted, stretching one hand upward.
But the ball kept climbing. Higher and higher, beyond his reach.
Then, before the eyes of nearly 500 million viewers around the world, the ball reached its peak.
And suddenly dropped.
Not a gentle fall.
A violent plunge.
Like an elevator losing control mid descent.
And then came the sound every fan lives for.
"Swish!!!"
A perfect net ripple.
"GOAL!!!" Casillas grabbed a chair and slammed it to the ground in sheer emotion.
Leo Lin sprinted toward the sideline, leapt over the advertising boards, and charged straight into the Spanish fans.
He climbed onto the stands, standing at the very edge as waves of supporters surged toward him.
They reached out, hands pressed against his chest, arms raised high, worshipping their savior.
Young Spanish fans in the stadium were already in tears.
Across Spain.
Madrid's plazas.
Mallorca's parks.
Everywhere, fans watching the broadcast erupted like an explosion.
This was a moment they would never forget.
"Leo Lin!"
"He has done it again!!!"
"His second goal. Another defining moment in his career!"
"It is level once more!"
"Look at the love from the Spanish fans!"
"According to official live data, global viewership for this match has now surpassed 500 million!"
"Leo Lin will live forever in the hearts of those 500 million viewers!!!"
...
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