Chapter 318: A Second Goal, Spain Leads Germany 2-0!

Chapter 318: A Second Goal, Spain Leads Germany 2-0!

During halftime, Coach Bosque specifically checked on the physical condition of the two Xavis. Both players were a bit older and had engaged in intense midfield battles with the German team during the first half, consuming a lot of their energy. Concerned they might not last much longer, Bosque wanted to have a clear idea of their conditions to prepare for possible substitutions. Xavi Alonso could last until about the 75th minute, while Xavi might need to be substituted around the 60th minute. With this information, Bosque felt more prepared.

"Listen up, guys, we're one step closer to defending our World Cup title, but we can't let our guard down!" Bosque addressed his team in the locker room, where all players were focused and energized. "Germany won't give up easily; they will definitely launch a fierce counterattack in the second half."

Lin Quan, hearing Bosque's initial remarks, thought they might play defensively. However, Bosque changed his approach, "In the second half, we cannot just defend passively; that would allow the German team to overwhelm us with wave after wave of attacks. We need to seize the opportunity to score another goal and try to kill the game completely!"

This strategy was unanimously approved by the team, who had already experienced the German team's powerful attacks at the end of the first half. The continuous assaults had indeed put the Spanish defenders under significant pressure. After adopting Spain's tiki-taka style, Germany was capable of both ground penetration and traditional tactics like crossing from the flanks. The German fullbacks' ability to support the attack was strong, and a slight lapse in attention could lead to a successful cross and a potential goal from Klose's strong heading skills. Continuing to defend passively would surely lead to a loss.

Therefore, they planned to take the battle into the opponent's half, continuously threatening the German goal to make them hesitant in committing too many players forward in their attacks. After all, the best defense is a good offense, a principle central to possession-based football.

The 15-minute break quickly ended, and as the teams returned to the field, Spanish fans were surprised to see that Germany had made no substitutions. Despite Mesut Özil's poor performance in the first half, Löw had decided to keep him on the field, which puzzled both sets of fans. German fans, in particular, were concerned that Özil might continue to be a weak link.

"This guy looks a bit different from the first half, doesn't he?" Ramos commented to Lin Quan as they re-entered the pitch, noticing Özil. Lin Quan observed that Özil's expression had turned serious and his eyes more resolute. Whatever Löw had said during the break seemed to have had an effect, at least igniting some fighting spirit and recognition of the stakes of the match in Özil.

However, fear of physical confrontations isn't something that can be easily overcome. Spain could still exploit this weakness in the second half.

As the second half began with the referee's whistle, Germany immediately launched an aggressive attack. Klose passed to Müller, who then returned the ball to Özil, who made a fine through pass. However, Klose couldn't break past the Spanish defense, and Casillas claimed the ball. Casillas then passed to Jordi Alba, who advanced along the wing. After facing a challenge, he quickly passed back to Xavi Alonso.

Alonso was also pressured and returned the ball to Piqué. Although Piqué's heading ability wasn't as good as Ramos's, his ability to play the ball out from the back was superior, making him a safe outlet for Spain's possession-based approach. Klose tried to disrupt Piqué, but he calmly passed the ball to Ramos, who waited for Klose to approach before passing it back to a teammate on the wing.

Seeing the Spanish players start to pass the ball around in their own half, the German fans in the stands began to boo. They were anxious about the time being wasted by Spain's tactics, fearing the game slipping away with each passing minute.

On the sidelines, Löw gestured vigorously, and the German formation pressed higher up to intensify their pressing of the Spanish team. Despite the threat posed by Spain's counterattacks in the first half, which made them cautious, they felt compelled to press forward at this stage; otherwise, Löw feared that the Spanish could just pass the ball around their backline for the entire half.

Germany's aggressive pressing disrupted Spain's back-passing game, which, in truth, they didn't plan to continue indefinitely—such tactics could put even the most ardent fans to sleep!

Piqué seized an opportunity to pass back to Xavi Alonso, who was surrounded by four German players anticipating his next move. Without time to look back, Alonso relied on his rich playing experience to predict the Germans' movements and passed back to Piqué. Piqué signaled that he was unmarked, and Alonso passed the ball back to him again.

This time, Alonso finally had a chance to turn around as his markers were drawn away by his teammates, giving him enough time to handle the ball effectively. Alonso didn't hold onto the ball; instead, he looked up, assessed the positioning of the players upfield, and delivered a precise long pass to the wing.

David Silva received the ball and cut inside toward the box, drawing the German defenders. He then passed to the center where Iniesta, taking advantage of the change in tempo, dribbled past Kramer and entered the box. Hummels closed in to block Iniesta's angle for a shot while directing his teammates to intercept Diego Costa.

Hummels's defensive play was effective, blocking Iniesta's path forward. Iniesta chose not to risk a pass to Costa but instead sent the ball back to the top of the box where an open space awaited.

Lin Quan received Iniesta's pass. Instead of charging into the crowded area, he adjusted and shot decisively. Neuer, focused and anticipating, leapt to tip the ball over the bar with one hand, a remarkable save since Lin Quan had aimed for the top corner—a difficult spot to reach if not well-prepared.

"Good job, Neuer!" his teammates applauded and embraced him, relieved that Neuer had finally managed to prevent Lin Quan from scoring.

On the sidelines, Löw breathed a sigh of relief as Neuer blocked Lin Quan's shot. Spanish attacks were incredibly fast, transitioning from defense to shooting opportunities with just a few passes. Xavi Alonso's presence allowed Spain to bypass the midfield and directly threaten the German goal, necessitating further restrictions on his play.

Thinking this through, Löw called Müller back to communicate his tactical adjustments. Müller nodded seriously and quickly relayed the coach's instructions to the rest of the team.

Germany's defensive strategy shifted quickly, with their defensive line moving forward to reduce the gap with the midfield. At the same time, the fullbacks squeezed in from the flanks to help with midfield defense.

While the wing forwards pressed high, their movement protected the back, preventing Spain from penetrating on the ground. For long passes, they attempted to create offside traps or rely on defensive and goalkeeper advancements to neutralize the threat.

This arrangement was risky, but if they didn't adjust, Spain's counterattacks would be too threatening. Meanwhile, Löw pondered the strategic implications. With the central defenders becoming the key outlet for passing, Germany had to increase their presence in the front, otherwise, they'd struggle to intercept Spanish passes.

No wonder Guardiola transformed Martinez into a central defender; was he planning something similar? Löw's adjustments were effective, and subsequent Spanish counterattacks failed to materialize.

In the 53rd minute, young Kramer, unable to continue after an elbow hit to the head during an aerial duel with Diego Costa, was replaced by Schürrle. Germany's formation shifted to a 4-1-4-1, with Schweinsteiger playing as a lone defensive midfielder, Kroos slightly pulled back to join Özil in central midfield, and Schürrle taking up the left wing.

The foul by Costa was controversial; the referee saw it as an accident and did not issue a card. German players argued it was a malicious foul that should have resulted in a red card for Costa. Replays showed Costa might not have seen Kramer approaching, and the elbow contact occurred accidentally as he came down after the aerial challenge.

Unless he admitted to intending to injure, the referee's decision stood without issue.

The game continued, and Schürrle's entry, while weakening Germany's defense, boosted their offensive capabilities. In the 56th minute, Müller's successful break on the left led to a cross that Schürrle followed up with a shot, spectacularly saved by Casillas. The shot was so threatening that if Casillas hadn't reacted superbly, Germany might have equalized.

Germany took a corner; Kroos sent the ball to the far post where Klose was positioned, but his header was off target. Klose had been giving his all for nearly 60 minutes, and his stamina was now a concern. If this had been Klose in his prime, that header might have found the net.

As German attacks gradually improved, coming closer to scoring, the German fans in the stands grew increasingly excited. They sang loudly, cheering on their team, hoping for a quick goal.

However, just as the Germans thought they were about to equalize, Lin Quan delivered a stunning blow that left them dazed and confused.

In the 59th minute, Lin Quan beat the offside trap and, using his speed, bypassed Hummels to break into the German box. Neuer came out to intercept, but he failed to secure the ball from Lin Quan, who deftly lifted it over him and continued towards an empty net.

Lin Quan coolly completed the play with a precise shot, scoring his second goal of the match, a critical moment in the World Cup final.

Following the goal, Lin Quan sprinted towards the stands filled with Spanish fans, placing his hand to his ear in a listening pose. The Spanish fans, initially stunned, soon erupted, chanting Lin Quan's name as if to shake the stadium.

Their excitement was palpable. If the first goal had given them a lead and a glimpse of retaining the title, Lin Quan's second goal nearly secured the victory, firmly pulling the trophy into Spanish hands.

Some fans near the field even tried to climb over the barriers to celebrate with Lin Quan on the pitch. Fortunately, security personnel intervened in time.

Meanwhile, Lin Quan was swamped by his teammates on the field, all celebrating wildly. Coach Bosque, overwhelmed with excitement, ran along the sideline, wishing he could slide on his knees in celebration.

Former coach Tony and ex-captain Puyol hugged each other, shouting, "We are the champions!"

In contrast to the jubilant Spanish team, the atmosphere in the German camp was much heavier. Neuer sat on the ground, incredulously watching the ball roll in his net, struggling to accept that his goal had been breached again.

The German players were equally despondent. Just when they were close to equalizing, Spain had scored again. The timing couldn't have been worse, and the impact on their morale was severe.

Could they overcome a two-goal deficit?

In the VIP box, Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy stood up again to applaud the players. This time, he refrained from taunting Merkel, who looked distinctly upset. Rajoy wasn't particularly interested in football, but Merkel was a passionate fan. She had once watched a Germany match on her phone during a European Union meeting when she couldn't watch on TV, a moment that had sparked media frenzy.

Falling behind by two goals in a World Cup final signified a dire situation. There had been only one instance in World Cup history where a team had come back from two goals down to win—the 1954 final in Switzerland. In that match, West Germany had recovered from a two-goal deficit against Hungary to win 3-2.

Now, 60 years later, Germany faced a similar situation. Could they pull off a miracle again?

(End of Chapter)