"Morici’s pass orchestrated the attack, and he also contributed his part. This young player’s performance in the last few games has been excellent, he’s almost becoming the midfield core of the Italy Team."
One to one!
The match is back to square one.
Italy has kicked the dilemma back to Spain.
Continue passing the ball?
Sure, see you in extra time.
But with the state of Spain’s midfielders, it’s hard to last in extra time.
And if they change players, Spain’s entire midfield system will need a complete overhaul.
That’s a big adjustment, and even their own players might not adapt to it.
Football has muscle memory; a player can adapt to various tactics, but it doesn’t mean he can adapt to multiple tactics in the same match.
He would be confused.
Moreover, Spain is the dominant side, why not finish the match within ninety minutes?
Drawing at regular time is essentially losing for Spain, isn’t it?
With their strength, they should win.
So, Spain launched a fierce attack.
Enriquez attacked down the wing with the ball... tackled by Praxedes.
Domenguez retreated and quickly dribbled the ball, delayed by Morici, Lam seized the opportunity and intercepted.
While Talista tried to muscle through Chiavich, there was an elbow movement, called an offensive foul, losing possession.
Spain launched multiple attacks within five minutes.
In the 81st minute, realizing Praxedes was in a hot streak, Enriquez swapped positions with Talista.
Enriquez once again dribbled straight down the wing.
Canyes’ defense was weak, penetrated by Enriquez.
Enriquez, after reaching the bottom line, suddenly passed horizontally while cutting in.
Domenguez broke through the offside trap with super explosive power, outran Chiavich, and successfully timed his run.
Chiavich instinctively reached out and pushed Domenguez over.
Whistle!
The main referee firmly pointed to the penalty spot.
Penalty kick!
Simultaneously, a yellow card was shown to Chiavich.
Italian fans went crazy.
A penalty decision at this time?
This...
Similarly, Spanish fans felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.
They danced with joy.
Chiavich tried to defend himself, but the main referee was adamant, indicating no need for further discussion.
Italian players were utterly helpless.
Although Domenguez wasn’t the first-choice penalty taker for the Spain Team, he was a key player on the team, and he won this penalty.
If he wanted to take it, no one would argue with him.
Domenguez and Audi locked eyes.
The whistle blew.
Domenguez’s run-up... bang!
Panenka penalty!
Truly a top striker who achieved success at a young age, with nerves of steel.
Such a critical penalty, yet he dared to use a Panenka!
Mindset, shooting skill, ability, Domenguez was impeccable.
Audi dived to the side, helplessly watching the ball slip into the net.
Domenguez scored his sixth goal of the European Cup, climbing to third on the scorers’ list!
Two to one!
After five minutes of relentless attacks, Spain finally reaped the rewards.
This penalty came from Domenguez’s duel with Chiavich in the box.
Chiavich looked at the sky with a sense of helplessness.
He realized he might become the villain of Italy Team’s European Cup journey this time.
He sent the team home.
"Don’t give up! Keep fighting!" Lu Yang shouted.
Italy Team quickly prepared for the kickoff.
Under their protest, Domenguez had to cut his celebration short.
But the Spanish players seemed at ease.
Because there were less than ten minutes left in the match.
Italy Team kicked off.
Lu Yang received the kickoff from Morici and immediately dribbled down the middle.
Ortiz was quick to stick out a foot to intercept.
Lu Yang, however, directly lobbed the ball, letting it quickly skim over Ortiz’s leg.
At the same time, Lu Yang accelerated past.
As Ortiz extended his foot, he tried to grab Lu Yang with his hand.
He did grab him, but due to losing his balance, he was dragged to the ground by Lu Yang.
This definitely wasn’t Lu Yang’s fault.
Lu Yang kicked the ball far.
Once kicked off, the Spanish players were also positioned densely.
Spain’s defensive midfielder Burgos rushed towards the oncoming ball, having a big chance.
But Lu Yang’s acceleration was so powerful.
He was twice as far from the ball as Burgos was!
And the ball was moving toward Burgos.
Yet in the end, Lu Yang managed to touch the ball first, altering its direction.
This maneuvering, reminiscent of the current "Son of God" Izalelt.
This is Lu Yang’s version of Kaka’s Big Step Meteor!
In its current form under Lu Yang’s feet, it’s an essential offensive skill.
And Perrotta, as if injected with adrenaline, was closely trailing Lu Yang, both heading toward the box.
Spanish center-backs were petrified.
Including the two full-backs, they all started closing in.
Bang!
Lu Yang made a pass.
On the left side, Ancelotti maintained the same speed and, upon receiving the ball, entered the attacking third and then chose to cut in.
Sanchis, anticipating the inside cut, met Ancelotti head-on, thankful for his vigilance, avoiding being outplayed again by Ancelotti.
If he had been a moment late to move, he would have been left behind by Ancelotti once more.
Ancelotti executed a series of stepovers.
Sanchis was intensely focused.
Bang!
Ancelotti opted for the end-line move.
Sanchis, trying to avoid Ancelotti’s fake end-line to real inside cut, delayed for a bit.
Ancelotti, as everyone knows...
Rather than calling him Prince Zebra, the Solo Prince would be more fitting!
It’s said that in both Pro Evo Soccer and FIFA games, Ancelotti’s tendency to go to the end-line is close to zero.
This speaks volumes...
But Ancelotti really went for the end-line!
Sanchis’ delay turned into an irretrievable half-step!
That half-step opened up a gap.
Ancelotti struck with his weaker left foot.
A fast, low, horizontal pass!
Exactly like Enriquez’s earlier cross.
Lu Yang and Perrotta sprinted towards the ball, both aligned with Spanish defenders, either could have connected with the ball.
Spanish defender Rubio lunged, extending a leg to block, getting to the ball before Lu Yang.
Otherwise, Lu Yang would have attempted a stab shot for a decisive goal.
However... the ball deflected off Rubio’s toe.
With a mightier force than Lu Yang’s stab, it stormed into the goal, creating a splash.
This strike was more spectacular than any of Binaji’s past goals!
At this moment, Spanish fans were crestfallen!
What the heck...
Own goal?
After conceding a penalty, you immediately reciprocate with an own goal?
Is Spain set to win the Fair Play award for this European Cup?
"Two to two! In less than three minutes after Spain took the lead, Italy has equalized again!"
"Lu Yang’s driving the ball forward right from the kickoff surprised everyone. He was too fast, making Ortiz and Burgos look like turtles in comparison."
"Ancelotti’s speed was equally remarkable; he just clocked a maximum speed of thirty-five kilometers per hour! That’s the fastest he’s run in three years!"
"That horizontal pass was very clever, such balls, if not handled carefully, can easily turn into an own goal. Rubio focused on defending Lu Yang but didn’t realize whether he could clear the ball."
"Sometimes a half-hearted defense is worse than not defending at all!"
"With five minutes left in the match, will Italy head for extra time again?"
"That’s not good news for them; they played extra time in the last match, and their stamina can’t handle this kind of stress."
"Spain is preparing for substitutions too. Their midfielders are visibly struggling with their stamina, especially Ortiz."
"Italy is also warming up players like Finger, Cortino, Scamacca, Sogel, and Kolber..."