Football singularity-Chapter 418 Late Drama & Cards

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As the German players finished their rocket-launcher celebration, they jogged back to their half of the pitch with renewed energy. A quick glance at the scoreboard confirmed it was the 70th minute, Germany now leading 2-1. The Italians were clearly rattled, and their frustration seeped into their body language as they prepared to restart the match.

Almost immediately from the kick-off, Moise Kean attempted to spark a response by pressing the German backline aggressively, urging his teammates forward to try to seize control again. Several passes flew around the midfield in quick succession, with the Azzurrini desperate to find an immediate route back into the contest.

Sandro Tonali, despite his recent yellow card, still acted as the orchestrator in midfield, barking instructions at Niccolò Rovella and Emanuele Vignato to push higher. Italy’s shape began to morph into something more akin to a 4-2-4, as Bellanova advanced up the right flank and Tripaldelli hugged the left, eager to provide overlap.

On the German side, the second goal brought a surge of confidence. Yannik Engelhardt and Niklas Tauer tightened their grip on midfield, snuffing out Italian attacks before they could truly spark. Baum, arms folded on the sideline, seemed content with a more compact structure. He repeatedly gestured for his team to keep their shape, especially whenever Kean or Gnonto tried to burst in behind.

In the 73rd minute, Italy forged an opportunity. Tonali picked out Vignato with a neat through ball between Katterbach and Bella-Kotchap. Vignato’s first touch was promising, but he was immediately sandwiched by the towering centre-backs. The ball ricocheted loose, and Simon Asta stepped up to clear it convincingly back into the Italian half, wiping out the danger.

"They’re chasing the game, and they know it," Paul Gartner commented as the Italians stepped up their attacking urgency. "Not much time remains for Italy to salvage at least a draw. But if Germany remains this organized and calm at the back, it’ll take something special to find a second goal.

"Undeterred, Italy’s front three continued to press. Gnonto especially seemed fired up by the deficit, buzzing around the edge of the box, testing the footwork of Katterbach with his nimble dribbling. In the 76th minute, Gnonto took advantage of a slip by Katterbach, darting past him along the byline. As he squared the ball into the six-yard box, Raspadori—who had already scored once—lurched forward, but Ehlers got there first with an outstretched foot that poked it safely behind for a corner.

Alessandro Plizzari stepped off his line, waving the Italians forward for the corner. Tonali trotted across to deliver the set piece. He whipped in an in-swinging cross that soared toward the near post, where Gabbia attempted a flick-on header. The ball rattled around in a chaotic scramble, pinballing off legs and chests before it finally fell to Bella-Kotchap, who blasted it decisively upfield.

The Germans nearly sprang a counter from that clearance. Oliver Batista Meier collected it near the halfway line, turned swiftly, and slipped a pass ahead to the surging Rakim Rex. The newly minted goalscorer lost his man with deft movement and acceleration as he used his long legs to eat up yards of grass. Racing toward the penalty area, the ball continued to alternate from both of his feet as he started to pick up speed.

He didn’t get far though as just as he skipped past Bellanova and Niccolò through a deft display of footwork he was sent crashing to the ground. Bove slid across to meet him with a crunching tackle, his timing impeccable as he dispossessed him cleanly to the roar of the Italian fans. Some German fans called for a foul but the referee was having none of that and motioned for them to play on.

As the clock edged towards the final ten minutes, the match took on a frenzied pace. Italy threw more bodies forward, with Tripaldelli occasionally tucking into midfield to allow Gnonto free rein on the flank. Germany, for their part, stuck to a disciplined approach, closing down spaces and snapping into tackles, determined to preserve their hard-earned lead.

In the 79th minute, tensions rose once more. Tonali and Tauer clashed in a bruising 50-50 challenge, leaving both men on the ground. The referee blew for a foul on Tauer, and he quickly hopped to his feet, offering Tonali a hand in a grudging show of sportsmanship only to have it knocked away by the Italian. Tauer didn’t mind it and simply shrugged his shoulders as he jogged back into position ready to defend this set piece.

Matonte kept his cards in his pocket this time, opting instead for a firm warning on both players but especially there German Midfielder. From the resulting free kick, Tonali floated the ball into the area. The German defence, anchored by Bella-Kotchap, rose to meet it, heading clear with authority.

The deflected ball fell near the centre circle, where Engelhardt sent a pass wide to Oliver Batista Meier to try to ignite another counter. It didn’t lead to much though as the winger already fatigued from all the running failed to latch onto the speeding ball. Baum on the sidelines took this as a prompt and called for Jamie Leweling to finish his warm-up.

By the 82nd minute, both managers were pacing in their technical areas as they both made their substitutions. Jamie on for the fatigued Oliver adding some more energy to the right flank. Meanwhile, Italy also shuffled the deck. Edoardo Bove (the centre-back) made way for Andrea Pinamonti, a more traditional striker, in an effort to bolster the attack.

Emanuele Vignato left the pitch as well, replaced by Davide Frattesi to add more drive in midfield. The Italians reorganized into what looked like a 3-2-3-2 shape, intent on throwing numbers forward in search of an equalizer. Baum on the sidelines gestured for his team to punish them on the counter using their speed and efficiency.

As Italy pressed forward, leaving spaces behind, Germany saw an opportunity to exploit the gaps. In the 85th minute, Rakim Rex picked up the ball near the halfway line and immediately drove forward on the middle channel, gliding past Frattesi with ease. Spotting Jamie Leweling making a run down the right flank, he threaded a perfectly weighted pass into his path.

Leweling surged forward, his fresh legs giving him an advantage over the weary Italian defenders. He took a touch to steady himself and squared a low cross into the box, aiming for Malik Tillman, who had positioned himself between the centre-backs. However, Matteo Gabbia anticipated the danger, stretching out a leg to intercept and clear the ball just as Tillman was about to pounce.

The Italians regrouped and launched another desperate attack in the 87th minute. Tonali played a quick one-two with Rovella before lifting a lofted ball into the box for Pinamonti. The substitute striker outmuscled Ehlers and managed to get his head to the ball, directing it towards goal. Unbehaun, however, reacted swiftly, diving low to his left to smother the attempt.

As the game entered the 89th minute, the tension in the stadium was palpable. Germany remained disciplined, maintaining their defensive shape and denying Italy any clear opportunities. Baum continued barking instructions, urging his players to remain focused until the final whistle.

Italy’s last real chance came in the first minute of stoppage time. Gnonto picked up the ball on the right, danced past Katterbach, and fired a venomous shot toward the near post. Unbehaun was equal to it, parrying the ball away. The rebound fell to Pinamonti, but Bella-Kotchap reacted quickest, lunging in to block the follow-up effort.

With time running out, Germany slowed the pace, keeping possession and forcing Italy to chase. In the 93rd minute, Simon took the ball to the corner, shielding it from Bellanova before drawing a foul, effectively running down the clock. As Matonte checked his watch one last time, he blew the final whistle. Germany had held firm, securing a 2-1 victory in the second round of Group B.

"Well, folks there you have it Germany rises to the occasion and archives their first victory in Poland rising to second in the group. Japan’s 3:0 thrashing of Mexico puts them firmly in the lead in this highly contested group." Paul Gartner stated with a grin as the German fans jumped in jubilation celebrating their victory

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To Be Continued...