"Are you going to take it?"
"What, you want to give it a try?"
"I—"
Nuri Şahin hesitated.
In the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, Borussia Dortmund was down 0-2 to Manchester United. At 39:52, Borussia Dortmund had almost no opportunities to threaten Edwin van der Sar in the first half. Jin Hayes had just taken on three opponents, forcefully using his individual skill to break through the middle, causing Michael Carrick to foul him from behind and receive a card. He also earned a free kick from a position 30 metres out, with a slightly off-centre angle.
This was Borussia Dortmund's most promising chance to threaten the goal so far in the first half. The course of the match could be rewritten. If this shot wasn't successful, the situation on the field would likely return to Manchester United's firm control, just as before.
The overall squad difference was too great, and as Borussia Dortmund's stamina dwindled, their hopes of equalising would become increasingly slim. It was easy to fall into a vicious cycle of falling behind in score, then morale dropping, then falling behind in play, then falling further behind in score, and then morale dropping even more.
Now, bearing immense pressure, bearing the expectant gazes of 80,000 fans, bearing hundreds of millions of viewers in front of their televisions—someone needed to step up and be a hero.
Would he be the hero? Nuri Şahin could feel his heart pounding as if it would explode.
What if, what if he scored?
He could then slightly overshadow Jin Hayes and become Borussia Dortmund's true core. If he could lead the team to overturn Manchester United, his market value would increase by at least €30 million. At that time, he could, as a superstar, make a high-profile move to Real Madrid. Champions League winner, Ballon d'Or—I, Nuri Şahin, might become a G on par with Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Zinedine Zidane, Andrea Pirlo—and many other world-class midfielders. Fans all over the world would wear his jersey and sing his name.
But… what if he missed?
Wouldn't he become a sinner? After the match, he would surely be condemned, bombarded by the media and fans, and everyone would turn against him. He took a half-step back.
"Buddy? Don't zone out, if you're not taking it, give it to me."
"You take it, your free kicks have improved a lot recently. I'll cover on the outside."
Nuri Şahin chickened out. He couldn't guarantee he could blast the ball into the net from 30 metres. The angle also wasn't suitable for his preferred curling free kick; this kind of shot was either a powerful drive or a knuckleball. The price of being a hero was also bearing the responsibility of the entire team and the punishment for failure.
He couldn't do it.
Since Jin Hayes offered, he might as well let him take it. Anyway, most likely, this ball would still be missed.
Inside Manchester United's penalty area, Nemanja Vidić, Rio Ferdinand, Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Cristiano Ronaldo—all were good at headers, so aerial dominance would definitely be with Manchester United. Edwin van der Sar, with his 197cm height, could easily pluck it out of the air. Yes, there was no chance.
"You take it, Jin. I believe in you, go for it!"
"Okay!"
Nuri Şahin offered only symbolic encouragement, retreating to the other side for protective support. If it bounced off the wall, if it was cleared, he could still contend for the second ball.
As Nuri Şahin withdrew from the centre stage, only one person remained in the spotlight—Jin Hayes. At this moment, people had already overlooked his 16-year-old age, overlooked that he was just a second-year rookie. Jin Hayes stood before the ball. As much as Borussia Dortmund fans anticipated and trusted him, Manchester United fans were equally nervous and afraid.
"No way? He's not really going to score, is he?"
"Doesn't make sense, it's too far, and the angle isn't good."
"Then why are you so nervous? You spilled beer on me."
"Nonsense, who's nervous? The bar's air conditioning is just too strong—"
In Manchester, England, there was no noise in any of the pubs, big or small. The only sound came from the television. Everyone else seemed to be under a spell, their expressions frozen, staring blankly at the young, handsome player on the screen. Golden commentator Andy Gray's voice also trembled slightly.
"Jin, he is confirmed as the free-kick taker. It looks like this free kick isn't much of a threat, and Manchester United, with a two-goal lead, doesn't need to be nervous at all. Edwin van der Sar's expression tells us they are very afraid of this shot. Manchester United is nervously adjusting the wall's position, with 5 players blocking in front.
The penalty area is also on high alert, the Red Devils' expressions are tense, with no hint of relaxation. Is the pressure from the kid really that great for them? The camera cuts to the old Sir, his hand trembling slightly, staring intently at the young man opposite him. Jin Hayes, this Bundesliga rookie, steps back, awaiting the referee's whistle. This season, he has delivered an undeniable, phenomenal performance in the Champions League. In Borussia Dortmund's most difficult moment, it's up to him to step up—"
"Jin Hayes, stands before the ball. His gaze is firm, revealing a fierce and steady composure that belies his youthful face. He is like a sniper with a sniper rifle, adjusting his breath, his scope already locked on Manchester United's goal. At this moment, all eyes worldwide are focused on this young man! Go, Jin Hayes!" He Wei, in his commentary, for the first time uncontrollably violated commentary discipline, completely siding with Borussia Dortmund. But he believed that the viewers in front of their televisions would not criticise He Wei, because everyone shared the same thoughts.
"Son, go for it!"
"This brat, he's grown up—"
The Jin Hayes on screen was already far removed from the child Chen Jianping remembered, who would fall and cry. His ID showed he was underage, but he was already an adult in reality. Whether this ball went in or not, Chen Jianping was proud of his child.
"You can do it! I've always believed!"
And in Anna's heart, Jin Hayes was her light. She didn't need to make the sign of the cross and pray like the surrounding fans; instead, she raised her Borussia Dortmund scarf, ready to celebrate.
Feeling Anna's gaze, Jin Hayes looked back at the South Stand. He had made up his mind to expend mental energy to activate his set-piece ability. He would strike Manchester United hard in Cristiano Ronaldo's most favoured way. Run-up, leg swing, power, kick, contact point, ball trajectory—all details were pre-rehearsed in his mind.
The moment the referee's whistle sounded, Jin Hayes moved. Exhaling a breath of stale air, he ran forward with light steps. Swinging his arms, all his strength was transferred through his waist to his thighs and calves. Confidently pulling the trigger, the large-calibre rifle fired.
Boom—
As the entire stadium held its breath in nervous anticipation, a booming sound echoed through Westfalen. The ball almost ignited the air, the 30-metre distance vanishing in an instant.
"So fast!"
Edwin van der Sar had trained countless times to save free kicks with Cristiano Ronaldo a week prior. He was already familiar with Cristiano Ronaldo's ball speed and trajectory, believing no one in the world could surpass him in this aspect. But Jin Hayes's free kick speed exceeded his imagination. He saw a black blur in front of him, with no time to discern the trajectory.
Van der Sar could only instinctively attempt a diving save, hoping by chance that the ball would fly over the crossbar. But in the 0.2 seconds he was in the air, the ball suddenly dipped, shattering the Dutch goalkeeper's last shred of illusion.
"Truly beautiful."
Before landing, Van der Sar let out a final sigh of admiration. This free kick was simply the most perfect work of art he had ever seen.
Before the ball even flew in, Jin Hayes had already confidently turned, pointing a single finger to the sky.
Swish!
Complementing his graceful turn, the ball grazed the underside of the crossbar and nestled into the top corner. Every time Jin Hayes scored a miraculous goal, the entire stadium would pause for half a second. This time was no exception—after a brief silence, there was an instantaneous, explosive eruption of pent-up emotion.
"Oh oh oh oh oh!! It's in!! It's in!! Beautiful!!!" He Wei's commentary style rarely involved him rising from the commentary desk. This time, he was completely unable to suppress his inner excitement. "In critical moments, you can always trust Jin Hayes! He will always repay your trust in the most spectacular way!"
"An impossible free kick, the only chance in adversity, Jin Hayes did it!"
"He pulled one back at the most adverse moment, helping Borussia Dortmund find a glimmer of possibility for advancement!"
"The match isn't over yet! Borussia Dortmund hasn't given up!"
Fans in front of their televisions went crazy. Borussia Dortmund was down 1-2, and it was only the first leg, not a last-minute winner, and they hadn't won. But that didn't stop everyone from celebrating wildly. Who could resist cheering for that goal?
Manchester United was fully armed, full of stamina, clad in excellent armour, an experienced heavy knight. Borussia Dortmund was just a villager with a spear, already bleeding profusely after being struck twice by the knight's sword. But he, against all odds, seized a fleeting opportunity, and with a single thrust of his Spear, he pierced the noble knight's vital spot. Even if I am a villager, even if I am behind in equipment and experience, even if I am in despair, with courage, I can still take you down with me.
"He's so handsome!"
"Lord Jin! A true man never looks back at his goals!"
"Holy shit!! Jin Hayes is awesome—"
"A miracle goal! Oh, my Lord Jin!"
Jin Hayes confidently turned to celebrate before the goal, a defiant smile on his face. From then on, another classic scene was added to football history. Like David Beckham's sunny smile after his 60-metre long-range lob, it would be replayed repeatedly in the future, becoming a classic.
1-2.
The battle for the Champions League quarter-finals was once again filled with suspense.