Chapter 675: FIFA Club World Cup Final
The referee for the FIFA Club World Cup final was Jair Marrufo from the United States, an experienced official. In the tunnel before the match, he emphasized to both teams his desire for a smooth and enjoyable game.
Standing at the front of the Manchester United lineup, captain Bruno Fernandes silently adjusted his emotions, mentally preparing himself for the intense battle ahead.
Mourinho had been clear: "Finish the fight in the first half!"
At the seventh minute, a corner kick was awarded on Al Ain's left side. Bruno calmly placed the ball, firming the grass beneath it with a deliberate motion before stepping back a few paces.
Inside the box, Manchester United's aerial threats were ready and positioned: Harry Maguire, Virgil van Dijk, and Harry Kane were closely marked by Al Ain defenders, their attention razor-sharp. The stadium buzzed with tension as fans, from both sides, sat on edge.
From the opening whistle, Manchester United dominated possession and dictated the tempo. Al Ain had retreated into a compact defensive shape, looking to absorb the pressure and counterattack. The wide play of Rashford and Mbappé, supported by full-backs Luke Shaw and João Cancelo, was particularly threatening.
Despite Al Ain's best efforts to defend, United had already secured three corner kicks in the opening minutes. Rashford had taken the first two without success, prompting a tactical change—Bruno was now stepping up to deliver the third.
The Corner Kick Master
Though Bruno had taken fewer corners this season, his proficiency remained unquestioned. Fans familiar with him knew his delivery often created havoc for opposing defenses. As he prepared to take the corner, the United supporters erupted in cheers, while Al Ain's defenders exchanged uneasy glances.
Bruno exhaled deeply, raised his right hand, and pointed a single finger to the sky—a signal only his teammates understood.
With Marrufo's whistle, Bruno surged forward. His movements were smooth and practiced, every step perfectly calculated from years of repetition. Striking the ball cleanly, it sailed with pace and precision, skimming just above the defense.
In the box, chaos erupted. United's players moved strategically, drawing defenders out of position. Amid the commotion, Harry Maguire made a late, surging run towards the near post.
The ball reached Maguire perfectly. Leaping forward, he connected with a thunderous header that left Al Ain's goalkeeper Khalid helpless.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"
"Manchester United takes the lead in the seventh minute!"
"1-0! Harry Maguire delivers a critical goal!"
"This was a beautifully executed corner from Bruno Fernandes, perfectly weighted to meet Maguire's run. The header was unstoppable!"
Early Advantage
Maguire celebrated with uncontainable joy, pounding the turf with his fists before sprinting towards Bruno. The two embraced passionately as their teammates swarmed them in celebration.
"An early goal in a final is priceless," the commentator exclaimed. "Manchester United have seized control, and this could dictate the rest of the game!"
On the sidelines, Al Ain coach Zoran Mamić was livid. Pacing the technical area, he barked instructions, urging his players to regroup. Despite meticulous planning, Mamić had underestimated Bruno's ability on set pieces—a miscalculation that had proven costly.
Sustained Pressure
United's strategy became evident: maintain relentless pressure and aim to secure a decisive lead before halftime. With fitness concerns looming over their congested schedule, Mourinho knew dragging the game into the later stages would favor Al Ain.
In the 14th minute, midfielder Ilkay Gündoğan made a statement by executing a crunching tackle on Al Ain playmaker Caio. Though he earned a yellow card, the psychological impact was clear. From that moment, Caio hesitated every time he encountered United's midfield enforcers, Gündoğan and Kanté.
Al Ain's midfield faltered under pressure, leaving their backline exposed to wave after wave of United attacks.
Capitalizing on Mistakes
In the 28th minute, Al Ain's defender Fayez attempted a short pass to midfielder Doumbia, but Gündoğan intercepted it with a burst of energy. The ball rolled wide, where Rashford pounced.
Driving down the left flank, Rashford sprinted into the final third, creating a two-on-three situation with Harry Kane alongside him.
(Chapter Ends)
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on March 2, 2026.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10