Minute 77.Spain 3 – Germany 2.
The match was burning.
You could feel it in the air —thick with sweat, sound, and something greater:
Hope.
Not just for Germany.For Mateo.
He had scored.He had brought them back.
And now…he wanted more.
Spain Under Pressure
For the first time all tournament,Spain looked nervous.
Their passes were shorter.Their touches tighter.The tempo — no longer confident.It was careful. Hesitant.
Germany pressed.Jonas stormed the right flank.Ritter won balls like a machine.
And in the middle —Mateo González Schwarz moved like a shadow with fire in his blood.
Inside the System:
[Champion's Instinct: 12 minutes remaining]
Fatigue IgnoredVision: EnhancedTactical Awareness: High
System Bonus Active:"Command Presence" – Nearby teammates receive +5% Focus and Positioning
81st Minute: So Close
Mateo received a pass near the top of the box.
He faked left —cut right —beat one man—
Shot!
The ball curved beautifully—
But grazed the outside of the post.
The crowd gasped.
Mateo exhaled, chest heaving.
He could barely feel his ankle anymore.Only the weight of the clock.
84th Minute: Spain Counter
Yamal burst forward after a turnover.
He danced around two defenders.
Shot!
Blocked — by Ritter, who slid with everything he had.
The rebound bounced wildly.
But Jonas cleared it.
Survive. Reset. Try again.
86th Minute: The Build Begins
Mateo raised one hand.
"Slow it down," he shouted.
The team listened.
He dropped deep, nearly to the back line,and took the ball.
Then began walking it forward.
One pass. Then another.Then a feint. Then a sprint.
Spain compressed their lines,but Mateo dragged them—pulled them out.
He knew what he was doing.
He was drawing the net.
And preparing the spear.
In the Crowd
Klara whispered to herself, not even realizing:
"Please… just one more."
His mother clutched the seat in front of her.
And in the broadcast booth, the commentators went silent.
This wasn't just a game anymore.
It was something bigger.
Inside Mateo's Mind
"One more.""Just give me one more."
"For my father.""For my mother.""For Klara.""For the boy I used to be."
"Let me finish this story."
Minute 89.
The ball came to him again.
The stadium held its breath.
He turned.
He ran.
He saw Lukas sprinting into space—
And time itself slowed.