Chapter 630: Victory Is the Most Important!
Bruno ended his speech in the locker room with conviction:
"In the second half, let's surprise them. They think they can still stop us using the same tactics from the first half. Let's let them believe that—then prove them wrong with goals!"
"You're absolutely right!"
"We're taking that trophy! We have to win!"
"I didn't come all this way to just change clothes in a fancy locker room!"
"Champions! Champions!!"
"Let's crush those French bastards!"
"Whatever happens, let's give it everything for these 45 minutes!"
"Let's fight them!"
While the Portuguese players huddled together and hyped themselves up, the French players stood patiently on the pitch, waiting for their opponents to return for the second half.
When the Portuguese team finally dispersed and took their positions, the French players didn't notice any significant change in their demeanor from the first half.
From the sideline, French coach Deschamps shouted instructions to his team:
"Attack! Keep attacking! Unless I tell you to stop, keep pushing forward!"
Veteran striker Giroud gave his coach a thumbs up in acknowledgment, yelling back to his teammates:
"Let's keep attacking!"
As soon as Giroud's voice faded, the referee, Pitana, blew the whistle to signal the start of the second half.
Ronaldo passed the ball to Bernardo Silva, who sent it back to Bruno, now stationed at the edge of the center circle. The decisive half of football that would determine the champions had begun!
...
Bruno received the ball, and Giroud was the first to charge at him.
Instead of engaging Giroud in a one-on-one battle, Bruno took this opportunity to test their new strategy. He passed the ball back to Moutinho, who was positioned close behind him, as the team's formation hadn't fully spread out yet.
Unlike Bruno, Moutinho wasn't immediately pressed by the French defense. The French strategy remained consistent: focus their efforts on Bruno, leaving Moutinho and others with less pressure.
Moutinho passed the ball back to center-back Pepe, and Bruno instinctively began running back to provide support. However, Moutinho waved him off, saying, "Move forward, Bruno. I'll link the back and front."
Bruno nodded and obeyed, pushing forward into the French half.
Kanté, who had been closely marking Bruno throughout the first half, hesitated as he saw Bruno run past him. He glanced at Bruno retreating behind him but chose not to follow, thinking, He's just moving into Pogba and Matuidi's area now. We've got him covered.
...
Pepe passed the ball back to Moutinho, who was still relatively unchallenged. Giroud made a token effort to pressure him, but it wasn't enough to disrupt Moutinho's rhythm.
Moutinho advanced with the ball and, as Kanté approached, passed it to Bruno further upfield.
The moment Bruno received the pass, he felt pressure from behind and quickly redirected the ball diagonally to Quaresma.
Quaresma had a chance to play a quick one-two with Bruno, who had already repositioned himself. However, Quaresma's instinct to take on defenders led to him being dispossessed by Matuidi and Pavard, who worked together to intercept the ball.
Bruno threw his hands up in frustration, signaling to Quaresma to pass quicker next time. Quaresma, getting back to his feet, gestured an apologetic wave before Bruno turned and rushed back to help defend.
It was clear that the team needed more time to adjust to this new style of play. The hope was that France wouldn't score during this adjustment period.
...
Bruno persisted in pushing his teammates to embrace the quick-passing and fast-moving tactics. However, the initial stages were riddled with mistakes:
Passes were overhit or misdirected.Players overran their positions or couldn't control the ball due to the speed.Timing was slightly off.
For the first 13 minutes of the second half, Portugal's offense was a collection of missed opportunities and errors.
But gradually, thanks to Bruno's relentless coordination, the team began to gel.
Bernardo Silva found himself with a shot on goal, forcing Hugo Lloris to make a fingertip save that left the French crowd momentarily silent. Quaresma also created a breakthrough opportunity after a quick exchange with Bruno, though his final touch was too heavy, allowing Lloris to gather the ball.
As the Portuguese attack grew sharper, the French defense was forced to allocate more players to mark Bruno, Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo, and Quaresma—Portugal's fearsome "F4."
This shift eased the pressure on Bruno, allowing him and his teammates to find more space.
...
Portugal regained possession and mounted another attack. Bruno received the ball but miscalculated the touch, allowing Pogba to step in for an interception.
However, Bruno, now defensively astute thanks to years of refinement, immediately recovered. With a sharp pivot and quick footwork, he regained control of the ball, shielding it with his body.
Spotting an unmarked Ronaldo near the French penalty area, Bruno seized the opportunity. With a perfectly weighted through ball, he threaded the French defense.
Ronaldo turned to track the ball, surprised to see it rolling toward him rather than to Quaresma or Bernardo Silva. Without hesitation, he struck a powerful shot.
The ball flew past Lloris, who leaped in vain, and nestled into the back of the net!
The stadium erupted.
"GOOOOOOOOAL!!!" screamed the Portuguese commentator. "Cristiano Ronaldo scores! Portugal equalizes! It's 2-2!"
...
Ronaldo sprinted to the Portuguese supporters' section, leaping into the air to perform his signature celebration. As he landed, thousands of fans screamed in unison, "SIUUUU!"
For the first time since Bruno's early goal, the Portuguese fans came alive. They raised their arms and jumped, ecstatic over their captain's strike.
"Minute 69: Portugal 2, France 2," boomed the stadium announcer.
A sea of red flags waved as the Portuguese crowd roared in celebration.
After the festivities subsided, Bruno and Ronaldo exchanged words.
"Thank you, Bruno," Ronaldo said sincerely.
"No need to thank me," Bruno replied, shaking his head. "The team's victory is all that matters."
Ronaldo nodded.
"Let's win this," Bruno said, extending his hand.
Ronaldo slapped his palm against Bruno's with a determined grin.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10