At the last possible moment, Ronaldinho's right foot swung — not toward the ball but just past it — and in the same motion, he sliced it sideways toward Okocha. His face, though, stayed locked on the goal, eyes wide with theatrical focus, as if he were still about to fire a rocket into the top corner.
For half a second, everyone in red froze, completely fooled by the acting. Even the cameraman followed Ronaldinho's gaze instead of the ball.
Okocha, catching the disguised pass perfectly, burst forward with a grin that said everything — Gotcha.
Seeing this, the ever-alert Keane quickly stepped up to close Okocha down. His timing was sharp — textbook defensive instinct.
But then it happened.
As Okocha drew back his leg to shoot, Keane did what every player — every human being — would do in that split second: he turned his body slightly, bracing for the impact, half-expecting the ball to cannon off someone's leg.
