Chapter 54: Bruno's Response

Chapter 54: Bruno's Response

In the eyes of the tens of thousands of fans at the Türk Telekom Stadium, a different scene unfolds: Bruno swiftly catches up with Digne, and despite a brief pull from Digne, he still reaches the ball and decisively flicks it over Kondogbia, then once more over Foulquier. The unlucky Kondogbia, just turning around, is knocked down in the box by a stumbling Foulquier.

Bruno, seizing the moment, chases down the ball and meets it with a stunning volley as it falls to the ground. Areola did rush out, but he didn't anticipate Bruno flicking the ball over Foulquier again. Caught off guard by the volley, Areola makes a desperate dive, but Bruno's shot, fast and angled sharply to the right of the goal, is out of reach!

"GOLOOOOO!!!!" "Bruno! Bruno!! Bruno!!!" "Incredible!" "My God, against three French players, Bruno manages to dribble and volley under pressure, scoring a spectacular goal to level the score for Portugal!" "Truly a magnificent goal from Bruno Fernandes, the prodigious midfielder from Serie B's Novara!"

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After scoring, Bruno collapses to his knees on the pitch, fists clenched, roaring skywards in disbelief at his own achievement. Everything he had done was a spontaneous reaction in the flow of the game; he hadn't planned in detail what to do because he couldn't predict the opponents' moves.

"An unforgettable performance!" "Faced with Pogba's exquisite header, Bruno responds with a volley that navigates through three players! Whether intentional or not, his goal has left an indelible impression on us all." "A stunning strike that not only dazzles but crucially, levels the scores for Portugal." "At the 41st minute, the score is reset to 1-1, putting both teams back on equal footing." "Let's relive that goal once more, a true showcase of Bruno's individual skill."

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The whole stadium erupts, even the French fans can't help but appreciate such a goal's sheer beauty. Bruno's spectacular solo effort not only evens the score but also crushes the morale of the French team, particularly their defensive line.

Three defenders couldn't stop one man who then scored such a remarkable goal, a frustrating outcome for them. Paul Pogba covers his face with his hands in anguish.

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As Portugal's emerging star, Bruno's every move significantly impacts his team. His brilliant solo goal quickly counters the earlier French goal, boosting Portugal's morale and passion. After a wild celebration, the Portuguese play more aggressively, even managing to dominate the formidable French team on the field.

Bruno, seeing an opportunity during a breakaway in midfield, unleashes a fierce long-range shot. The sudden, powerful strike sends shivers through the French fans, but Areola reacts swiftly to parry the ball, averting a crisis. However, in the ensuing corner, Portugal's center-forward Aladje heads just over the bar from ten meters.

Portugal maintains its offensive, and Bruno becomes increasingly active, his presence felt across the entire pitch, embodying the quintessential box-to-box midfielder's role. Under his leadership, the Portuguese players perform even better, each exuding confidence; at that moment, they seem invincible.

Aladje creates space for Bruno, and João Mário quickly sends a lofted pass from the right side of the midfield. Bruno, darting from midfield, reaches the spot before the French defenders and fires a right-footed shot. Areola leaps to save once more, thwarting Bruno's determined attempt to score.

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Portugal wins a corner! Bruno picks himself up from the turf, panting and brushing off the grass. As the first half draws to a close, the exertion begins to tell on him, but his willpower suppresses any fatigue, appearing still full of energy.

Portugal's tall players come forward for the corner: Tiago Ferreira, Tiago Ilori, André Gomes, Aladje... Seeing his teammates advancing, Bruno realizes that Portugal actually has quite a few tall players. João Mário positions himself just outside the box, ready to make a decisive move, while Mica Pinto prepares to take the corner. He steadies the ball and the turf behind it before stepping back.

Bruno and João Mário stand near the top of the box, but the French defenders treat them differently, considering João Mário a greater aerial threat than Bruno. Despite Bruno's technical skills, his heading ability remains one of his few weaknesses; he seldom competes in aerial duels or uses his head to score.

Still, aware of Bruno's potent long-range shooting, France's midfielder Veretout stays close, guarding him, while Pogba helps defend due to his height.

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As the referee, Çakır, blows his whistle, all players spring into action. João Mário swiftly shakes off his marker and dashes toward the near post. Aladje, Ilori, and other tall players press toward the center and near post, causing disruption, while Cancelo, Bruma, and Escalona also move to confuse the French defense, turning the French box into chaos.

Pinto quickly delivers the corner, but instead of targeting the near or center as expected, the ball travels to the far post. "Danger!" Veretout is the first to react, shouting a warning. But as the French midfielder turns, he realizes with a sinking feeling that Bruno, previously behind him, has vanished. A foreboding sense grips him in the melee of this corner battle, losing track of Bruno could easily lead to conceding a goal.

Only Bruno knows his plan; he deliberately drops back to the left side of the box before suddenly surging forward. Digne is positioned at the far post, ready to clear the incoming ball. As it approaches, he prepares to head it away, but just then, a Portuguese player flashes before him, leaping higher to meet the ball.

Digne, standing at 1.78 meters, isn't much shorter than Bruno, but in that moment, as Bruno surges forward with momentum, his leap powered by a running start exceeds Digne's height, leaving him staring up, awestruck, only able to think, "He's so high! He jumped so high!" (End of Chapter)

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