The clock kept ticking.35 minutes.38 minutes.40 minutes.
France kept hammering at Germany's defenses—relentless, furious, desperate.
But Germany,gritty and stubborn,refused to break.
And in the middle of it all,Mateo González Schwarz sharpened his mind like a blade.
Reading the Chaos
Inside the System:
[Fatigue: 47% — Stable][Focus: Maximum][Flow State: Active (Enhanced Decision-Making)]
Every time France surged forward,Mateo saw patterns emerge:
The French fullbacks pushing too high.
Gaps widening behind their aggressive midfield.
Their center-backs growing isolated, stretched thin.
"If we survive one more attack...""We can break them."
The Trap
Germany won a throw-in deep in their half.
Mateo sprinted toward the sideline, calling for the ball.
Not to attack.
To bait them.
The French midfielders rushed toward him instantly,smelling blood.
Two, then three.
"Come closer," Mateo whispered under his breath.
He trapped the ball calmly under his boot.
Waited.
And just when the French pressed too tight—he spun.
Explosive First Step activated.
He slipped between two players in a blur of motion.
Gasps from the stands.
Shouts from the benches.
Mateo was free.
The Race
He charged into the empty midfield,legs burning but mind crystal clear.
One French defender sprinted desperately to close him down.
Mateo shaped to pass—faked.
The defender bit the feint and slid early.
Mateo danced past him effortlessly.
Now the field stretched open before him like a dream.
Germany had numbers.France had panic.
Inside the System:
[Critical Opportunity Detected.][Activating "Game Changer" Unique Skill.]
+15% Speed+15% Dribbling+15% PassingDuration: 10 minutes
The Masterstroke
Near the top of the box,Jonas darted inside, losing his marker.
Without hesitating,Mateo curled a perfect pass with the outside of his boot,threading it between two defenders.
Jonas caught it in stride.
One touch.
Second touch.
A low, surgical shot to the far post.
GOOOOOOOAL!!!
Germany 2 – 0 France
The German bench exploded.
Coach Schuster punched the air, roaring.
The fans behind the goal lost their minds, waving flags wildly.
And Mateo—exhausted, gasping for air—allowed himself a small, victorious smile.
Inside the System:
[Assist Recorded.][Quest Progress: Win the Semifinal — 66%][Special Achievement Unlocked:
"Field Marshal" (Create a critical chance leading to a goal during high-pressure situations)]
France Shattered
The French players dropped their heads.
Some screamed in frustration.
Others stared blankly,the fire draining from their bodies.
They knew.
Everyone knew.
Two goals down against a German machine?
Almost impossible.