Chapter 473: Winning the Championship Again
"This goal is so crucial! Anyone familiar with football knows that in such important finals, the team that scores first can often control the game."
"Portugal scoring within just seven minutes of the start is beyond everyone's expectations. But that's football for you!" "Bruno's corner kick was exceptionally well-placed. The precision of this corner was incredibly high, and Cancelo seemed to have a perfect understanding with him.
Cancelo made a feint to shake off the defender and then quickly moved to the near post to head the ball in." "1-0, Portugal takes an early lead!"
Löw was furiously picking his nose, feeling like he wanted to rip it off. He kept yelling at his players on the field, hoping they would calm down.
This is the final! Although they had made very detailed plans before the match and considered many factors, who could have predicted that Bruno would take the corner and Cancelo would coordinate so seamlessly with him? Previously, Ronaldo had always been the one to take the corners for Portugal.
Bruno's set-pieces were also very good, but he rarely got the opportunity to take them for Portugal.
Löw missed the calculation with Bruno and the Portuguese tactic, which now put them in a bit of a bind. A three-defender formation against a winger tactic could be deadly, especially on set-pieces. Conceding three corners in just twelve minutes and getting scored on was not a good start.
...
Löw immediately went to the sidelines to make adjustments, hoping his players could stabilize. He also signaled Kimmich and Hector to drop back a bit to help secure the flanks and stabilize the situation.
Portugal clearly knew what Germany was planning and had no intention of letting them settle down. According to Bruno's observations, Santos's strategy was to take advantage of the momentum and finish the game in the first half.
This was a very wise choice, mainly because Portugal had several veterans. Although they had an extra day of rest compared to Germany, their physical fitness was not as good as their opponents. If the game dragged on into the second half, it would be very unfavorable for Portugal.
Therefore, they needed to secure a significant advantage in the first half. If they couldn't establish an advantage in the first half, they would have to change their strategy and tactics for the second half to leave room for retreat.
Having superior strength has its advantages. After taking a one-goal lead, Portugal continued to press and disrupt in the midfield and front. They focused particularly on containing Goretzka. Double pivot William Carvalho and Danilo Pereira acted like a wall, blocking Germany's midfield, especially Carvalho.
In the 14th minute, when Goretzka tried to break through with the ball, Carvalho made a fierce tackle, taking down the German midfielder along with the ball.
The referee, Mažić, keenly issued a yellow card. Carvalho didn't argue, giving Mažić a simple smile and stepping back.
This was a statement to Goretzka, a fierce but non-harmful move meant to intimidate.
...
After being taken down hard by Carvalho, Goretzka indeed played more cautiously, showing signs of unease whenever faced with Carvalho and Pereira's intimidating presence.
With their midfield contained and unable to send the ball forward, Germany struggled to launch effective attacks.
Portugal intensified their pressing in the midfield and defense. Initially, Germany managed to cope, but gradually the weaknesses of the three-defender formation became apparent.
Especially during transitions from defense to attack, when Kimmich and Hector moved forward, Portugal's front three pressured the defensive line, leading to mistakes.
In the 39th minute, German defender Mustafi advanced with the ball under pressure from André Silva.
He attempted to pass to midfielder Rudy, who was only ten meters away, a seemingly sure pass. However, just as Rudy was about to receive the ball, Bernardo Silva suddenly surged forward, contesting with Rudy and causing the ball to deflect to the left. Ronaldo chased the ball, quickly advancing along the left flank, initiating a counterattack right away.
André Silva pressed forward too, creating a two-on-three situation on the left side. Despite sprinting with the ball, Ronaldo could clearly see the situation in the penalty area.
After dribbling into the box, the Portuguese captain made a swift cross, passing the ball behind André Silva.
Mustafi was initially positioned to block the Portuguese striker from facing the goal directly, but Ronaldo's pass left him in a difficult spot. André Silva read the play, using his body to shield the ball from Mustafi without touching it, allowing the ball to roll towards the penalty spot.
...
"A quick counterattack from Portugal." "Ronaldo breaks through on the left, enters the box, and crosses to the middle."
"André Silva lets it through..."
"Bruno at the penalty spot..."
"Goal!!!!"
"GOLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
"In the 39th minute, Portugal scores again!"
"Bruno! Bruno! He scores Portugal's second goal of the match! A clean left-footed shot, and Ter Stegen had no chance to stop it!"
"This is Bruno's fifth goal in the Confederations Cup, making him the top scorer by a wide margin!" "Portugal now leads by two goals!"
After scoring, Bruno ran off the field, sliding on his knees towards the section of the stands packed with Portuguese fans, raising his arms as if to embrace each fan. His teammates rushed over, surrounding him in celebration.
"This was Bruno's first shot of the game, and he scored right away. His ability to capitalize on opportunities is incredibly reliable. But Germany must also reflect on their defensive mistakes."
"Bruno is Portugal's most dangerous weapon, yet they allowed him to find space."
"This demonstrates the gap in strength. Portugal has been in excellent form recently."
...
With a two-goal lead, Portugal completely controlled the game. Goretzka was effectively neutralized, making it difficult for Germany to mount any threatening attacks.
Coupled with the shock of conceding two goals, the young German players became increasingly anxious. This was the final, with only 90 minutes on the clock. Time wouldn't wait for them. While Germany grew increasingly desperate, Portugal, with their greater experience and the advantage in score and gameplay, maintained their composure, applying pressure and waiting for Germany to make mistakes.
Germany did have opportunities. In the 43rd minute, they created a threatening attack from the right, passing to the middle, but Werner, under pressure from Pepe, couldn't make proper contact and sent the ball out for a goal kick.
As stoppage time approached, Portugal intercepted a pass in midfield, launching another quick counterattack.
Ronaldo cut inside with the ball, passing it back to the left. Semedo overlapped on the flank, carrying the ball to the byline and crossing to the near post.
Ter Stegen rushed out to punch the ball clear, but it didn't go far. Bruno collected it, facing German defenders, and used his left foot to flick the ball behind him, turned, and slotted it into the empty net with his right foot.
Goal! Bruno didn't show much excitement this time. For him, it was as easy as picking up a free ball. He spread his hands nonchalantly, accepting his teammates' congratulations.
...
German players sat dejectedly in the penalty area. 0-3! They were truly despairing! Before the game, they were full of confidence.
But in the match, they suddenly realized that reality was far different from their expectations.
With a three-goal lead, Portugal grew even more composed and confident. During the halftime break, Santos praised the team's first-half performance and encouraged them to keep up the good work. "I believe that as long as we play steadily, victory will be ours!"
In the second half, Germany didn't make any changes to their lineup and attempted an early attack but to no avail.
A notable detail in the 50th minute reflected Germany's problems. Under Portugal's pressing, Mustafi, unable to find a passing option, played the ball back to Ter Stegen, who hurriedly picked it up with his hands.
Portuguese players protested to the referee, who awarded them an indirect free kick near the right side of the penalty area. Bruno took the free kick, delivering it into the box where Ronaldo's quick run resulted in a shot off the post.
Although they didn't score, both Germany's mistakes and Portugal's subsequent shot off the post highlighted the mental shift between the two teams.
Santos made substitutions, bringing off Bruno, Bernardo Silva, and William Carvalho, replacing them with Moutinho, Gomes, and Nani. As Bruno was subbed off for Moutinho, the entire stadium erupted in applause.
With two goals and an assist, Bruno continued his stellar form in the Confederations Cup, leading Portugal to victory in the final. Germany couldn't mount a comeback, and Portugal ultimately secured a 3-0 win.
(End of Chapter)
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