The stadium would later be renamed the Mercedes-Benz Arena after 2008.
This was a do-or-die match between Croatia and Australia.
If Croatia won, they advanced.
If they drew or lost, Australia would go through instead.
In just the third minute, Croatia scored a lightning-fast opener, as if heralding a grand revival.
But in the thirty-ninth minute, they conceded a penalty, and Australia leveled the score.
In the fifty-seventh minute of the second half, Niko Kovač—who would one day manage Croatia, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, Monaco, and Wolfsburg—scored a crucial goal to restore Croatia's lead.
They were only thirty minutes away from advancing.
Then, in the seventy-fourth minute, Croatia made a tactical change: young midfielder Luka Modrić came on for forward Ivica Olić to strengthen midfield control and defense.
On paper, the substitution made perfect sense.
But that's the beauty and cruelty of football—sometimes you do everything right, and fate still turns against you.
Just five minutes after Modrić stepped onto the pitch, Australia equalized again.
"Oh, what's that midfielder doing out there?"
"He's terrible! And way too skinny!"
"His failed challenge led directly to that goal!"
"How can a scrawny kid like that even make the Croatian national team? No wonder they're going home early—what a weak side!"
"What's his name again? Modrić? More like No-Strength Modric!
"Trash! Croatia is absolute trash!"
The stands buzzed with complaints. There were many neutral fans in attendance, and the cameras occasionally cut to Modrić on the pitch.
At that moment, the young "Croatian Maestro" clearly hadn't yet developed the mental strength that would one day define him.
Though he tried to hide his pain, his eyes betrayed his torment.
In the final twenty minutes, two Croatian players were sent off with red cards, and Australia also received one.
In the end, Australia held on for the draw and advanced to the knockout stage, while Croatia's journey ended in heartbreak.
...
In the parking lot, the Croatian team bus waited as the defeated players boarded one after another, shoulders slumped.
Modrić was the last to arrive.
He couldn't bring himself to face his teammates—or the fans back home.
Even though the goal wasn't entirely his fault, the timing was cruel: he came on, and soon after, they conceded. The connection was inescapable.
"Hey!"
A voice broke through his thoughts.
Modrić looked up.
Standing nearby was Su Hang, who had been waiting for some time.
Players on the bus leaned out to look.
"Who's that? Luka's friend?"
"That young guy looks like... Su?"
"Su? Which Su?"
"Su Hang! Real Madrid captain! Spain's captain!"
"No way! It really is Su!"
"What's going on? Su knows Luka?"
Under everyone's gaze, Su Hang reached out his hand.
"Can I have your jersey? I really admire your style. This loss wasn't your fault—it was just bad luck that you happened to be subbed on before it happened."
Modrić took his jersey from his bag and handed it to him.
"There's no need to comfort me. It really was my fault. I feel like... I've ruined everything."
He couldn't help feeling pessimistic about his chances of joining Real Madrid.
If he hadn't played a single minute at this World Cup, the club might still have considered him—a 20-year-old national team player full of potential.
But after such a "disastrous" performance, he believed those hopes were gone.
It wasn't that Modrić wouldn't become great one day, but there were so many talented players available—why would Real Madrid take a risk on one who'd just failed on the world stage?
"Don't worry," Su Hang said, patting him on the shoulder. "As long as you don't sign that long-term deal, you'll start fresh at the Bernabéu this September. Trust me—no matter what."
"In the coming weeks, there might be some rumors floating around. Just keep quiet—don't confirm or deny anything. You don't need to hide, but don't say more than you have to."
Seeing the doubt in Modrić's eyes, Su Hang smiled faintly.
"I know—it's hard for someone as smart as you to trust another person blindly. So I'll give you a hint."
"I haven't renewed my contract yet. You get what I mean?"
Modrić froze on the spot.
Wait...
Was Su Hang implying... that one of his renewal conditions was asking Real Madrid to sign him?
It felt like he'd just won the lottery.
If that was true, his chances of joining Madrid had just skyrocketed.
After all, his transfer fee was tiny—less than a million euros, probably less than Su Hang's renewal bonus.
But... why would Su Hang do that?
Wouldn't it anger Calderón?
Buying Modrić wasn't the problem—the issue was who made that decision.
If Calderón misunderstood and thought Su Hang was trying to interfere in transfers or control team management, he could be branded a "locker-room dictator."
But Modrić didn't believe Su Hang was that kind of player.
He wasn't ambitious in that sense.
If he were, would he really have accepted being a substitute for Spain?
Su Hang chuckled.
"Well, Maestro... is it possible Calderón didn't misunderstand me after all?"
...
News of "Su Hang watching other matches" soon spread like wildfire.
After all, this World Cup didn't have many truly suspenseful group-stage battles, and for fans, the third round of games was getting a bit dull.
Bild: "Double-Captain Controversy! Su Hang chases live matches across venues like a crazed fan!"
Mundo Deportivo: "Skipping team training—just to watch football?"
Sport: "Su Hang may be the most irresponsible captain in Spain's history!"
Sky Sports: "Has Su Hang given up? Unable to play, is he expressing his dissatisfaction with Aragonés this way?"
Kicker: "Concerns about Su Hang's professionalism—he's attended five matches in three days since the second round!"
La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Spain's players remain silent on Su Hang's unauthorized absences, but resentment is inevitable."
So how did the Spanish squad actually view all this?
Things quickly took an interesting turn once some players' family members spoke out.
"Su Hang is a really nice captain. Joaquín and Su get along great."
"Reyes says Su is an amazing person."
"Fàbregas calls him responsible and one of Spain's spiritual leaders."
"Salgado says he understands and supports Su Hang's decision."
"Cañizares says Su Hang is the most naturally charismatic young player he's ever met."
Praise.
Praise.
More damn praise!
Why?
Because after Spain won their second match and secured early qualification, Su Hang went to Aragonés with a special request—
He asked the coach to issue a "special allowance."
To allow players' families to visit the hotel for one afternoon.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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