England fans ran their hands through their hair again and again. At 1 to 2, there was still hope of equalizing.
But once it became 1 to 3, a two-goal deficit made a comeback extremely difficult.
Not to mention, they still hadn't managed to reverse their slump on the pitch.
"Diego Costa scores again!"
"This Spanish striker has been outstanding in this World Cup. He is the team's second most reliable scorer after Leo Lin and a guarantee of Spain's attacking firepower!"
"In the first half, due to tactical needs, Diego Costa focused on linking play. But in the second half, with Spain's tactical shift, his scoring ability has come to the fore once again!"
"He can handle any role assigned by the coach. A striker who can both organize and score. What team wouldn't want that?"
"In the 67th minute, Spain make it 3 to 1. With more than 20 minutes left including stoppage time, England need two goals just to level the score!"
Across major live streams.
"Maybe it's a bit early to say this, but this match already feels over."
"Congratulations to Spain for becoming the first team to book their place in the World Cup final!"
"That's football. In just a few minutes, everything on the pitch has changed. Spain's new tactics have completely overwhelmed England!"
World Football News. Gerrard let out a helpless sigh. He knew England were finished.
"Actually, I have another identity. I used to play for Liverpool, and Lin is also a Liverpool player, so I'm happy for him."
Casillas, sitting beside him, was stunned. He didn't expect Gerrard to bring up his Liverpool legend status at a moment like this.
"What a guy. Using Lin at a time like this."
The broadcast camera swept across the England players' faces. Most of them looked frustrated and anxious.
Southgate suddenly stood up. He and his coaching staff had been in constant discussion, and now he believed he had found a new way to deal with Spain.
He pulled Kane over and spoke to him quietly while the Spanish players were still celebrating.
Kane sprinted back onto the pitch, found Arnold, Vardy, and the others, and began relaying a new tactical setup.
Leo Lin had been celebrating, but the moment he saw Kane speaking with Southgate, he quickly ran back onto the pitch and followed beside him, trying to overhear something.
"Don't come too close, Leo Lin," Kane said with a smile, waving him away.
For some reason, if it had been anyone else, Kane would have been annoyed.
But since it was Leo Lin, he found it amusing. He genuinely admired him.
The match resumed. Spain continued with their upgraded deep-lying attacking midfielder system, using Leo Lin to completely control the tempo.
England, meanwhile, dropped back and switched to a counterattacking approach. They abandoned the diamond midfield and reshaped into a 4-4-2.
Lingard moved to right midfield, Alli to left midfield, with Kane and Vardy leading the line.
Whenever Spain attacked through the center, Alli and Lingard tucked inside to form a compact midfield block, creating a four-man central shield that prevented further breakthroughs and forced Spain to move play out wide.
England's adjustments quickly paid off.
Leo Lin could still keep possession, but breaking through a four-man midfield line was unrealistic and inefficient.
Spain began shifting their attacks to the flanks.
76th minute.
"Substitutions from the sideline. Aspas replaces Diego Costa, Isco replaces Asensio!"
"David Silva comes off for Iniesta as Spain continue to strengthen their control."
"Hierro makes three changes!"
Hierro had recognized England's adjustments and responded with substitutions to inject fresh energy.
Although England had switched to counterattacking, their packed midfield and quick transitions actually created more opportunities.
Arnold, in particular, surged forward frequently with the ball, almost playing like a winger. With Lingard dropping back to cover, he found more chances to deliver crosses.
82nd minute.
"Quick passing through the middle. Henderson plays it out to the right, finds Arnold."
"Arnold drives forward at pace."
"There's an opening. Low ball swept toward the edge of the box!"
Arnold sends a low, driven ball toward the top of the area. Kane receives it, turns, and executes a brilliant back-to-goal move.
Iniesta quickly brings him down with a foul. Otherwise, Kane would have spun and had a clear shot.
"Foul!"
"Iniesta, tracking back to protect the edge of the area, commits a push and receives a yellow card."
"A tactical foul. England get a free kick in a dangerous position."
A free kick in the attacking third. Kane stands over the ball, with Arnold beside him.
The referee blows the whistle.
Kane runs up, shaping to shoot, but instead nudges the ball to Arnold.
The Spanish wall rushes forward to close him down.
But in the next instant, Arnold turns the shot into a chipped pass. A fake shot that becomes a pass, fooling the defense and picking out the waiting Jamie Vardy.
A beautifully executed set-piece routine that cuts through Spain's defense.
"Vardy!"
"Brilliant!"
"A volley!"
"It's in!"
"Jamie Vardy, the underdog hero from Leicester City!"
"He rose from the semi-professional leagues, signed by Leicester for a bargain, and step by step helped them grow, winning the Premier League and creating the Foxes miracle!"
"His form earned him a place in the national team. He has become one of the most efficient and clinical strikers in recent years!"
"He scores at a crucial moment, bringing it back to 3 to 2!"
"England have a glimmer of hope again. They're just one goal away!"
Across major live streams.
"I don't remember who said it, but someone once said Vardy is unstoppable!"
"What a finish. Vardy's striking is incredible!"
"A player who climbed up from the bottom through sheer determination. His composure under pressure is on another level!"
Jamie Vardy's sudden goal reignited hope for England.
On the sideline, Hierro shouted loudly, urging his players to stay calm.
"There's only a few minutes left!"
"Hold on. Stay focused!"
Leo Lin took repeated deep breaths, trying to steady himself.
But this was the World Cup. At a moment like this, no one could stay completely calm.
Play resumed. The whistle blew. The commentators' voices trembled. Even the fans watching felt their palms sweating, their breathing quickening.
All eyes were fixed on the pitch. Every movement pulled at the nerves of everyone watching.
"According to the latest statistics, global live viewership has reached a staggering 690 million!"
"Everyone is captivated by this incredible match!"
90th minute.
"Kane turns and tries a long-range effort!"
"Over the bar!"
"The fourth official signals four minutes of stoppage time!"
94th minute.
"Spain are controlling possession. England pressing hard. This is their last chance."
"Out to the right. Iniesta receives it."
"One on one. Turns, tries to keep control."
"He's surrounded. Ball lost!"
"Henderson wins it!"
"Through ball to Kane. Leo Lin is tracking back."
"Kane turns and forces a shot!"
"Blocked by Leo Lin!"
"It deflects to the right. Still a chance!"
"Arnold delivers again. Kane with the header!"
Harry Kane rises high and powers a header toward goal.
De Gea is rooted to the spot. The ball floats high. No goalkeeper could reach it.
Spanish fans are on the brink of despair.
But at the crucial moment.
Leo Lin, who had just blocked Kane's shot, instantly dropped back as the ball went to Arnold. He positioned himself perfectly on the goal line, leaving Kane to Piqué.
But this time, Piqué couldn't beat Kane in the air.
Just as the ball was about to cross the line, Leo Lin's instinct put him in exactly the right place. He leapt up and cleared it with a header.
Leo Lin heads it away to the right.
Carvajal follows up and blasts it upfield, completely clearing the danger.
Stoppage time is up.
The whistle blows.
The whistle blows again.
The final whistle sounds.