On the computer screen, Gerrard, wearing the red England number 8 jersey, vigorously blasted the football into the goal amidst the boos of the German fans. The man in the suit and headphones couldn't help but raise his arms and cheer loudly.
Although it was working hours, no one was surprised by his actions because everyone was doing the same thing as him. A dozen pairs of arms were raised in the office and cheered together.
However, such a situation was a special case. More companies, including government departments, got off work early at this time. More people gathered in the bars that could be seen everywhere on the street to drink beer with their friends and watch the game.
Every taxi radio was locked on to the radio station that was broadcasting the game. Not only the passengers, but the drivers themselves were also paying attention to the game.
The big-screen TVs in the stations, squares and big shopping malls were all broadcasting the game. There would be many passers-by in front of each screen stopping to watch.
After seeing Gerrard score the penalty, these people all cheered as if there was no one else around. Of course, the Liverpool fans were the happiest because the man who helped England equalize the score was their captain.
"England has equalized the score! Now we see the hope of victory again! The Germans are still protesting the penalty, but no matter how many times you watch the replay, there is no problem with the referee's decision! "The commentator, John Motson, once again emphasized the problem of the penalty.
"Yes! No problem! "The fans roared along with him.
In fact, it did not matter even if there was a problem. The fans were not saints. It was a very good thing to score against Germany, but what was even better was that there was a problem with the goal itself, such as being offside first, and the goal that did not cross the goal line was ruled to have crossed the line … So the England fans liked to talk about the 1966 World Cup final and mock the Germans.
Every time Germany's "Football Emperor" Beckenbauer came to London, he would be pulled out by taxi drivers to talk about the final that year. Otherwise, he could hardly leave the airport. The drivers wanted to ask him if Hurst's goal crossed the goal line that year.
Of course, the technology proved that the ball did not completely cross the line, but the English people enjoyed the result.
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Back at the Nuevo Mestalla stadium in Valencia, the England fans in the stands were singing loudly and cheering for England. The German fans chose to be silent. At this time, the riot police in the stands were particularly nervous, for fear that the England fans would provoke the German fans, and then both sides would tear down the seats in the stands for a more intense battle than the game.
Fortunately, none of this happened.
Sammer was disappointed with the goal concede. Now he had to reconsider how to play in the next game. They could be conservative when they were leading by one goal, but what about now that the score had been equalized?
There was still no news from the other venue. It looked like Portugal and Wales had also tied. So, according to the current situation, if both games ended in a draw and the four teams had four points, then the Germany team would continue to rank first in the group with a goal difference advantage, thus smoothly advancing. Even if the outcome of the game was decided, whether Portugal won or Wales won, Germany would still be able to beat England in second place in the group with a goal difference advantage. England, on the other hand, fell to the third place in the group. It would depend on the results of the other groups to determine whether they were qualified to be one of the three best teams in the four groups and advance.
For the German team, as long as they did not lose, they would definitely be able to advance. They had more leeway than England.
Sammer was a person who cared more about results than face. Since he could guarantee his advancement by not losing, then he would fight for victory with a draw. If they pressed out to attack at this time, it was likely that England would seize the opportunity to score another goal. If they lost the game, they would switch positions with England.
During his playing days, Matthias Sammer was known as the best "free man" in the world after Beckenbauer and Balesi. He was trained mechanically in East Germany and emphasized discipline. He was an insurmountable iron gate in the Germany team's rear defensive line. He did not care whether the football he played was beautiful, artistic, or entertaining. He only cared about the result. Football was a sport that pursued victory. If it could not be won, then all the effort would be meaningless.
After becoming a manager, he also insisted on this view.
He decided to let the team continue to focus on defense, with counterattack as a supplement. It was not necessary to break through England's goal. It was enough as long as they could hold on to this score.
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Contrary to Sammer's conservatism, Twain did not have the right to choose conservatism at this time. He had to attack, and he could only attack. So, he stood on the sidelines and waved his hand. England pressed forward on all fronts and launched a siege on the Germany team. The situation in the first half was reversed.
England tried their best to pass the football to Mitchell's head from the flank. Unfortunately, they could only get one penalty kick. Mitchell was caught in the pincer defense of the giant German defenders and could not do anything. At this time, he must have regretted not paying attention to strength training.
Twain observed for a while on the sidelines and found that the blind passes from the flank were easily blocked by the Germans. They had the advantage of height, and headers were not a good way to do it. So, taking advantage of a dead ball, he called Walcott to his side. He instructed him not to pass the ball, but to dribble the ball to break through and cut inside.
The German defender was tall and strong, but he was not nimble when turning. This was something that could be used.
Jansen was fast, and Walcott could not take advantage of this aspect. So, Twain let Walcott and Cohen frequently switch positions. Walcott went to the left flank, and Cohen to the right flank.
The right-footed player went to the left, making it easier for him to cut inside and shoot. Twain wanted to create chaos for the Germany team's strict defensive line.
After Walcott went to the left flank, the effect was obvious. The Germany team did not expect Twain to make such an arrangement. Because neither Cohen nor Walcott was an all-rounder with both feet, Cohen could only use his left foot, and Walcott's skills with his left foot were terrible compared to his right foot. Sammer never thought that Twain would let the two men switch positions, so he did not make any targeted arrangements.
The German players found it very awkward to defend. After all, the technical movements and habits of players who were good with their left foot and those who were good with their right foot were different. If they were used to guarding against the former, it would lead to habitual thinking, so that when they faced another player who was good with his left foot, they would make errors in judgment.
Lahm was a very good full back. He defended against Chris Cohen on the sidelines, but he was a little embarrassed in the face of Walcott's speed and breakthrough.
"Walcott speeds up … Stop and turn, cut inside! Beautiful, he swayed away from Lahm! Shoot!! "
Adler punched the ball out with both fists and then roared at Lahm. He was not satisfied with his teammates' defense.
Soon, Walcott made a comeback again, but this time when Lahm defended against him cutting inside and breaking through, he chose to force his way down. Then faced Lahm who had caught up, he hooked the ball back, turned around and switched to his best right foot to cross the ball again. Unfortunately, Rooney's shot went wide due to Westermann's interference, but it also made the Germans break out in a cold sweat.
"We can't let him run amok like this!" Adler roared to his teammates, "No matter what, don't let him into the penalty area!"
Walcott's activity was a headache for the Germans. Twain also saw the advantage of this kind of dexterous player against tall defenders. He decided to change players.
"Moke." He turned and gestured to Moke, who was sitting on the bench. "Go warm up and be back in five minutes."
Moke was a little surprised. Although he was brought to Spain, the media generally thought that he had no hope of appearing on the field, and he was a player with the same fate as the third goalkeeper. Because in front of him was Walcott, who had stabilized his position as the main force, and Bentley, who was excellent at passing. He had no advantage other than his skills. His body was not good, his speed was not fast, and his stamina was not good. It was already a great surprise that he was brought to Spain by Twain. It caused the media to talk about it, saying that Twain must have brought him with the mentality of "taking care of his own people."
But now, he actually had a chance to play!
Moke hurriedly put on his white vest and rushed out.
Five minutes later, he stood in front of Twain, panting.
Twain glanced at the kid he had taught a harsh lesson before. "You're tired after only running for five minutes?"
Moke hurriedly closed his mouth, which was open because of his panting, and shook his head. "I'm not tired, Boss! I'm just … excited! "In fact, he was a little nervous. It would be a lie to not be nervous, since it was his first time representing the national team, and it was against an opponent like Germany.
Twain looked at him and smiled. "Just don't be nervous. I want you to go on and replace Cohen. He doesn't have much use on the right flank. You go up and use your footwork and dribbling skills to break into the penalty area from the flank to create chaos and opportunities. "Twain pointed to the field and said to Moke.
Moke nodded as he listened.
"If you can't break through, then create a set piece. Of course, it's best if it's a penalty kick. "Twain laughed.
"Okay, Boss!" Moke followed and laughed. The Boss's smile made him feel familiar and at ease. Although we are still at a disadvantage, the Boss must have a way!
When England got an out of bounds ball, Chris Cohen was substituted off the field and Moke went on to play.
Although Cohen did not contribute much in the offense, his active defense in the first half helped the team's rear defensive line relieve a lot of pressure. Now that England did not need to focus on defense, his role was very small.
"Well done, Chris." Twain shook hands with Cohen, who was walking down, and praised his performance.
Moke's appearance immediately strengthened England's offense. This time, England was no longer walking with one leg in the offense. Whether it was Walcott on the left flank or Moke on the right flank, they both had excellent dribbling skills. They could play the German defenders in circles by themselves.
When the Germans had just put the defensive focus on the right flank, Moke began to become active again.
Moke's speed was not fast, but his footwork skills were better than Walcott's. Jansen was played around by him. Several times, he had to use fouls to stop Moke's breakthrough.
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"Ah ha! Well done, Moke! It's his first appearance for the national team, but he doesn't have stage fright at all. Look at his breakthrough … His heel knocked the ball, changed direction! He went over! "John Motson shouted excitedly.
After Moke passed Jansen, he used his body to protect the football, so that Jansen could not easily intercept the ball. Then he began to drill into the penalty area.
Facing Mertesacker, who came up to defend, Moke planned to pass the ball through his crotch. The football was pushed over, but he was blocked outside by Mertesacker. Moke, who fell on his back to the ground, raised his hand for a penalty kick, but the referee signaled for him to quickly get up and not waste time.
This time, it was Tang En's turn to be angry on the sidelines. "This is a classic blocking foul! Do you need me to teach you a lesson, Mr. Referee? "
The referee ignored him. Tang En scolded a few times and shut his mouth.
Now that his team had the advantage, the Germans' counterattack was not a threat, so he was not too anxious. If there were only ten minutes left in the game, he would definitely not let it go.
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Gerrard once again passed the football to Moke on the right flank. He saw that he had the ball. Schweinsteiger ran up to defend. However, Moke followed the sideline and passed the football past the opponent's side. Then, faced with a situation where there were interceptions in front and pursuers behind, he passed the football to Michael Johnson, who came up to receive him. After passing the ball, he continued to rush forward. Johnson also cleverly passed the ball back to him. Two over one!
Jansen learned to be smart this time. He did not rush out with his feet, but followed Moke and retreated. After forcing Moke near the corner flag, he then tried to intercept the ball. He did not expect Moke to protect the ball with his back to him. He turned his leg and hooked the football between Jansen's legs with the arch of his foot. Then, he quickly turned around and passed him!
Thanks to Jansen, Moke chased up the football at the end line. This time, facing his opponent, Mertesacker, who had blocked him last time, he did not choose to pass through his crotch. Instead, he made a shooting motion.
With the ball so close to the goal, Mertesacker did not dare to not make a move to block it. Moke took advantage of the time when he stretched his leg to block the shot to pull the ball back. Then, he kicked lightly with his left foot and flashed in from behind Mertesacker.
Just as Adler was hesitating about whether to attack and expand the area to block, Moke passed the ball!
The football passed under Westerman's crotch. Wayne Rooney broke away from Rolfes' entanglement the moment Moke passed the ball and leaped forward. Facing such a large empty goal, all he had to do was to stretch out his leg to block …
Adler turned to pounce on Rooney, but he was a step too late.
"Moke's pass … Rooney, Rooney, ROOOOO — GOOOOAL!! A effortless shot! England leads Germany by 2: 1! "Motson stood up from his seat with the microphone in his hand.
When they saw Moke pass Mertesacker, the England fans cheered. After Rooney scored the football into the goal, the cheers finally reached a peak.
"Long live — England!!"
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The German players could do nothing about this goal concede. The diminutive Moke was like a monkey shuttling nimbly through the dense forest. Their strong bodies could not play a blocking role at all and could only become a defensive obstacle. Just like that, everyone watched as Moke nimbly turned to get rid of him again and again, stirring up a foul atmosphere in front of the Germany team's goal, and then sent the football to the most dangerous place …
Sammer angrily punched the awning behind him. Then, feeling that the punch was not enough to vent his anger, he punched again.
He did not make timely adjustments to Twain's substitution, which led to serious consequences. His anger was dissatisfaction with his slow reaction.
Next door, Twain rushed to the sidelines and hugged Walker. Moke, who had only been substituted for less than ten minutes, became the main contributor to the lead. This showed that his substitution was effective.
"We're in the lead, ah ha!" Walker shouted excitedly. Now there was hope for them to directly advance.
Twain quickly calmed down and said, "Don't be too happy too early, Des. Be careful of the Germans' counterattack. We have to continue to strengthen our offense and strive to score another goal. "
He broke away from the excited crowd and waited for the players on the field to finish celebrating before he told them his latest instructions.
But it looked like he needed to wait a little longer. The England players were excited after reversing the Germans. Rooney had planned to stand to celebrate the goal, but now he was lying on the ground to celebrate — he was pressed under the bodies of his happy teammates.
The England fans obviously did not have Twain's worries. At this time, they just wanted to cheer and celebrate, because their team was ahead of their arch-rival, the German team. Whether it was at the Nou Mestalla Stadium or in England, songs praising Rooney floated in every corner.
Everyone saw the bright future of them stepping on the Germans' corpses to advance to the top 16. That was a future that would be exciting just thinking about it …
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