The referee's whistle cut through the noise, sharp and clear, and Italy restarted the second half with purpose.
The early minutes, as usual, passed with both teams trading short spells of possession, the commentary dipping in here and there as the tempo settled.
"That's better from Italy. They look more assured now after the break," one of the broadcasters noted.
But before the match could drift into the slow rhythm that sometimes clings to the opening of a second half, Fornella broke the pattern.
He took a loose ball in midfield, steadied himself, and slipped it toward Leo.
The moment the ball reached Leo's foot, something on the pitch shifted.
He didn't hesitate.
He carried it forward with quick touches, forcing England to step back.
Their defensive shape bent under the pressure until Lee Carsley barked out a command from the touchline, pushing his team higher.
Leo slowed just a little afterwards, shaping his body as if he were going to recycle possession.
