After play resumed in the second half, Japan essentially gave up on attacking. Aside from the occasional long ball counterattack, which was cut out early by Sergio Ramos or Piqué, they failed to create any real threat.
Facing Sergio Ramos, Genki Haraguchi saw no hope at all. Just like Gaku Shibasaki against Leo Lin, at his peak, Sergio Ramos was the undisputed best defender in the world.
Whether it was aerial duels, interceptions, or physical battles, Haraguchi looked like a child in front of him.
Relying on all-out defense, Japan barely held on through the remainder of the first half, and both teams returned to the locker room.
The broadcast camera swept across the stands. Japan's fans sat in silence with their heads lowered. The bright 4-1 scoreline perfectly reflected the first-half dominance.
The camera then caught Leo Lin walking toward the tunnel. He looked completely at ease, his face full of confidence.
To his left was Diego Costa, to his right Asensio. The two walked alongside him, both covering their mouths as they chatted. No one knew what they were saying, but judging by the rare smile on Diego Costa's face, Spain were clearly relaxed.
"Do you think there's any chance Japan scores five in the second half and pulls off a miracle comeback?"
Ronaldo suddenly turned to Casillas and threw out the question.
Casillas replied without hesitation.
"Do you think there's any chance Spain faces Brazil next round and ends up like Germany did?"
Ronaldo froze.
That infamous match still lingered in everyone's memory. Brazil's crushing defeat to Germany remained one of the most talked-about games in football history.
Ronaldo had been trying to unsettle Casillas. Compared to Spain, he clearly preferred Japan to go through.
That way, Brazil would face Japan in the quarterfinals, not Spain.
But it was almost impossible. Three goals down, Japan would need a miracle.
An enormous miracle.
In Spain's locker room, Hierro made no tactical changes. He was very satisfied with the first half.
Then he said a line Leo Lin had heard countless times from Klopp.
"That's the best first half I've ever seen from you!"
Leo Lin did his best to keep a straight face.
"You executed our tactical approach perfectly."
"Control, attacking play, fluid combinations. Short interplay and long switches. This is exactly what we want."
"Lin, you were outstanding in the first half." Hierro pointed at him.
Leo Lin immediately straightened his expression and nodded.
"Yeah… yeah."
"Right, exactly."
Hierro continued.
"In the second half, we keep scoring. Take every chance. Do not waste a single opportunity."
"If you give them hope, they will come back like hungry wolves. We have to kill that hope completely."
On the side, the coaching staff continued giving instructions.
"Haraguchi has been trying to create chances for Osako, but their only attacking option now is long balls."
"Do not wait for the first touch. Win the first ball and clear it immediately."
"Busquets, make sure you drop back on time. If Ramos or Piqué miss a header, you cover."
Even though such mistakes were unlikely, they were preparing for every possibility.
On Japan's side, a substitution was made.
Gaku Shibasaki, who had struggled badly in the first half, was taken off. A young and relatively unknown Defensive Midfielder came on.
Wataru Endo.
Endo had strong interception ability and decent positioning, but lacked experience.
Commentators questioned the change.
"Shibasaki couldn't handle Lin, and now they bring on Endo?"
"Using a young player against him might be even worse."
Soon, the second half began.
As expected, Wataru Endo marked Leo Lin directly. Together with Makoto Hasebe and Takashi Inui, they formed a central block to contain him.
Shinji Kagawa dropped deeper. With three players focused on Lin, Thiago had to be tracked by him.
Osako and Haraguchi were also forced to retreat. Japan had almost no attacking space left.
56th minute!
Wataru Endo stayed tight to Leo Lin.
Lin dropped back, received a pass from Busquets, turned, and the Ball-Heart, Guitar-Soul skill began to glow.
He had spent the first half adapting to it. Now he had found the rhythm.
Perfect timing to test it.
"Endo may not be well-known, but his interception ability is strong, and he has great potential," the commentator said.
"Let's see how he handles Lin."
Before he even finished speaking, Leo Lin moved.
He first cut right with his left foot.
Endo reacted instantly, shifting his weight with precision.
Lin was slightly surprised. Endo was indeed a bit better than Shibasaki.
But only a bit.
The next moment, Lin planted his right foot and stopped sharply. Still controlling the ball with his left, he used the instep to flick it back to the left.
His center of gravity snapped from right to left.
The entire movement took less than half a second.
Endo's body had followed the first feint. But when Lin twisted his body in that almost inhuman motion, Endo's mind told him to keep up.
His body could not.
Only those who truly commit to defending will fall.
Endo lost balance completely, collapsing backward, arms flailing, before crashing to the ground.
The stadium erupted.
Derek Rae shouted.
"Leo Lin has sent Endo to the ground!!!"
"Another brilliant breakthrough!"
"Fake shot, real cut!"
"He's got space!"
"Chipped pass!!!"
"Diego Costa beats the offside trap!!!"
"One on one!!!"
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (65 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.