Denia had every reason to be confident. His team had been winning nonstop and remained unbeaten throughout this U17 World Cup.
But France were also undefeated, having delivered several emphatic victories that showcased terrifying attacking firepower.
Their razor-sharp counterattacks and one-touch passing carried a hint of beautiful football, but with even more emphasis on vertical progression.
Denia's only real concern was whether his back line could keep up with the sheer pace of France's frontline on the break.
Once the match kicked off, both sides began cautiously.
Spain held the ball, patiently probing for openings and steadying the tempo, while France lurked, ready to pounce.
As play unfolded, Leo Lin realized things weren't quite matching his expectations.
On paper, France lined up in a 4-3-3, but once the game started, their attacking shape morphed into an irregular diagonal.
Pintor dropped deeper, Adli pushed all the way up on the right, while the attacking midfielder Da Cunha constantly rotated positions with Tchouaméni.
Something felt off. Leo Lin watched closely, searching for cracks.
13th minute!
"Spain still in control. Beitia switches it wide to Miranda, who drives forward."
"He combines with Gómez, overlapping down the flank!"
"The cutback—still looking for Leo Lin!"
"Intercepted!"
"The pass was underhit. Tchouaméni reads it perfectly and wins it cleanly!"
"Leo Lin tracks back, but Tchouaméni gives him no chance to counter-press, launching it long to the right for Adli!"
"That outside-of-the-boot pass reminds me of Pogba."
"Adli cushions it with his chest, back to goal, then flicks it past his man!"
"Brilliant! He sells Guillamón completely!"
"Spain's back line is wide open!"
"Driven ball across the face of goal!!!"
"Sliding finish!!!"
"Oh no!"
"France strike first!"
"Pintor taps it in at the far post!"
"Brilliant!!!"
"France lead one-nil!"
"And it's Spain's first time conceding in the first half at this tournament!"
France were, without question, the most lethal attacking side in this U17 World Cup.
Conceding so early was clearly not part of Denia's plan.
The Spanish youngsters looked momentarily stunned. They hadn't felt this kind of pressure at any point in the tournament.
A suffocating sense of tension crept in.
Leo Lin sprinted straight into the goal, scooped up the ball, and ran it back to midfield, pumping his fist and shouting at his teammates.
"Lift your heads!"
"The game has only just started!"
"There's plenty of time left!!!"
Leo Lin's mental strength was off the charts. His eyes burned with intensity, showing no sign of being shaken by the goal.
If anything, it ignited his fighting spirit. The fire inside him surged upward, spreading through his entire body.
Seeing Leo Lin brimming with resolve, his teammates snapped back to reality and threw themselves into the match once more.
Still, France's new attacking setup remained a serious threat. The diagonal 4-3-3 combined with rapid counters demanded a quick solution from Spain.
France had never used this approach in earlier matches—it was clearly a tactical package prepared specifically for Spain.
Leo Lin focused on controlling the tempo while constantly observing, doing everything he could in midfield to cut off Tchouaméni's forward through balls and limit France's counters.
As Denia and his assistant searched desperately for answers, Spain gradually slipped into a disadvantage, pinned back in their own half by French pressure.
Leo Lin expanded his defensive coverage as much as possible, but both flanks were teetering on the edge.
Spanish fans could see the danger coming. If this continued, a second goal felt inevitable.
In the 27th minute, Denia finally rose and stepped to the touchline, locking eyes with Leo Lin.
During a brief stoppage after a foul in the attacking third, the two seized the moment to communicate.
"They want to play diagonally," Leo Lin said. "Then we go vertical."
Denia nodded. That was exactly what he was thinking.
"Have both holding midfielders drop back more often to help cover the wings."
"Once we win it, you initiate the counter. Let Ferran Torres and Ruiz increase their rotations."
"Up front, play with speed—attack from the flanks. Forget wing-to-center combinations; look wide for breakthroughs."
"Use Ruiz as the pivot to create more shooting space for both wings and for you."
Denia adjusted the tactics immediately. Being entrusted to lead Spain at the U17 World Cup meant he was anything but ordinary.
Leo Lin returned to the pitch to relay the instructions, and Spain's shape shifted subtly.
More frequent rotations up front, and stronger vertical protection at the back to shield the channels.
"The deeper positioning of the two holding midfielders has effectively cut off France's diagonal lines, preventing connections between the wings and the center. Spain's new defensive adjustment is working well!"
With their defense stabilized, Spain finally found breathing room to look for attacking chances.
Constant interchanging up front began to disrupt France's back line.
Space was slowly opening up. Leo Lin kept watching—he never stopped searching for it.
43rd minute!
"Spain push forward again, still hunting for a clear opening."
"They don't force a cross from the wing, choosing patience instead."
"Ferran Torres drifts to the left, Gómez switches to the right. Lacroix shifts from protecting the inside to defending the overlap—and he looks uncomfortable."
Caught off guard by the sudden change, Lacroix hesitated. Gómez seized the moment, powering down the line and beating his man cleanly.
He whipped a fierce ball into the middle, aiming to find Ruiz.
"Bang!" Benda gets it clear!
But the clearance isn't far—it drops just a few steps outside the top of the box.
Leo Lin claims the loose ball, shrugs off Tchouaméni, and breaks through!
A sharp pull with his right foot, explosive acceleration, then a cut to the left—past Caqueret!
His balance wavers, but Wind Chaser Kaka is shining brightly!
Beating two men, Leo Lin nudges the ball forward instinctively, continuing his sprint straight at the back line.
Every Spanish fan is on their feet, eyes locked on Leo Lin!
Benda steps up to challenge. Leo Lin dips his shoulder—
Instant burst inside!
Against Premier League defenders, that kind of acceleration might not seem extraordinary.
But to the 17-year-old Benda, it looks like a mirage.
A flash!
Three players beaten!
Leo Lin breaks into the box, clean through!
His eyes glance right, his right foot swings—
But the shot goes left!
A disguised finish!
"Whoosh!!!"
The goalkeeper is completely sold, frozen to the spot!
Derek Rae erupts!
"Leo Lin scores after a sensational solo run!"
"Spain are level!"
"One–one!!!"
"Football is a game played at high speed!"
"You either surge forward, or you're left behind—there's no time for hesitation!"
"Football mirrors life. Football represents everything!"
"How you respond to adversity on the pitch, the split-second decisions you make, show how you face challenges in life!"
"Don't retreat. Don't run away!"
"Charge forward bravely—that's the meaning football gives us!"
"If you love football, then be like Leo Lin—move forward with conviction!"
"My friend, remember this."
"With dreams in your heart, you can charge ahead without fear!"
"Youthful passion needs no brakes!"