The ball zipped across the pitch like a live wire.The players were drenched in sweat already —but the battle had only begun.
Every pass.Every sprint.Every tackle.
It all crackled with tension,like two armies waiting for the first sword to pierce flesh.
Mateo's Focus
In the middle of the chaos,Mateo González Schwarz was calm.
Inside the System:
[Flow State: Active]Enhanced Spatial Awareness: 120%Enhanced Anticipation: 115%
He didn't just see the game.
He read it.
The lines of pressure.
The fractures opening between the French midfielders.
The hesitation in the center-backs when they switched marking duties.
He could almost hear the game breathing —like a wounded animal waiting for the finishing blow.
"Now...""Or soon..."
He needed one moment.One misstep.
And he would strike.
18th Minute: The Opportunity
Germany recovered the ball deep in their half.
Ritter — calm, commanding —sent a laser pass to Mateo between the lines.
Instantly, three French players closed in.
Mateo didn't panic.
He let the ball roll across his body,then tapped it with the outside of his boot,sending it sharply to Jonas sprinting down the right.
Mateo accelerated.
Hard.
Fast.
The French midfield turned too late.
There was a gap —not wide, but enough.
Enough for someone who saw the game differently now.
Jonas cut the ball back at the perfect angle.
Mateo burst through the line.
The goal glared ahead, the goalkeeper narrowing the angle fast.
Inside the System:
[Critical Moment Detected.]Activating Boosts:
Explosive First Step
Finishing Instinct Lv.1
Clutch Performer (+15% Shooting Accuracy)
Mateo didn't overthink.
One touch to control.
Second touch —a wicked, low shot aiming for the far post.
The keeper dove full stretch.
Fingers brushed the ball—
But not enough.
GOOOOOOOOAL!!!
Germany 1 – 0 France
The stadium exploded in noise.
German fans screamed.Chilean neutrals roared in awe.
On the bench, Coach Schuster punched the air.
His teammates rushed to hug him, shouting, laughing.
But Mateo barely celebrated.
He simply stood, breathing hard,and pointed to the German crest over his heart.
"One goal closer," he thought.
"One more step toward the dream."
Inside the System:
[Goal Scored.]Quest Progress: Win the Semifinal — 33%
Across the field,the French players gathered, whispering, fuming.
Their pride was wounded.
And wounded lions were the most dangerous.