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"Holy crap!! Holy crap?!!!"
"It's in!! That goal was incredible!"
"How is that even possible?!"
"Lance is simply a god!"
On the TV screen, after scoring, Lance ran dominantly towards the South Stand, where the home team's die-hard fans were, raising his arms to signal for the home fans to cheer louder. The on site photographer captured the most classic moment: 16-year-old Lance, facing the stands, stood on the field in his black jersey, looking just like a conductor in charge of everything.
Especially from a low-angle shot, Lance's back appeared incredibly imposing! No. 39 - Lance. This number and this name have been firmly etched into the minds of fans worldwide!
"Lance!! I freaking love you!"
"You are God! Do you know you are God?!"
"OMG!! OMG!! Lance!"
Bayer Leverkusen fans had devolved into savages, only knowing how to howl meaningless syllables around Lance. No words could express the excitement in their hearts. At this moment, Lance was the god of the entire Bayer Leverkusen team!
Facing Real Madrid, he made two solo breakthroughs, bypassed Iker Casillas twice, and blasted the ball into Real Madrid's goal twice. What else could he be if not a football god?
The Galaxy Battleship, Real Madrid, was actually going to be sunk by a 16-year-old Asian teenager who was just starting out and had played professionally for less than one season?! The football world was in an uproar. Reporters in the media section were already furiously typing on their laptops, scrambling to publish this sensational news that would shake the global football scene!
However, the match was not over yet. The last 10 minutes could still hold variables. From the morale of both sides, the entire Bayer Leverkusen team was brimming with fighting spirit. Real Madrid's emotions were clearly a bit low.
In close-up shots, the eyes of stars like Fábio Coentrão, Raphaël Varane, and Karim Benzema appeared somewhat lost. Only Cristiano Ronaldo was still shouting at his teammates, trying to encourage everyone. It was clear that Cristiano Ronaldo truly wanted to win this match.
Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, and Ángel Di María were also big-game players; they were all trying to change the situation. Carlo Ancelotti made substitutions. He made a desperate gamble, taking off left-back Coentrão and bringing on Marcelo, who had stronger attacking attributes.
He replaced Sami Khedira with the 21-year-old young midfielder, the Brazilian Casemiro. Casemiro had joined Real Madrid on loan from São Paulo, Brazil, last season, playing for Real Madrid B in Segunda División, and his impressive performance earned him a promotion to the first team.
In the 2013-2014 season, Real Madrid activated his buyout option, and he officially became a Real Madrid first-team player. However, with a veteran like Xabi Alonso, Casemiro didn't get many opportunities, only getting some playing time in cup matches and Champions League group stage games.
Next season, when Alonso transfers to Bayern Munich, Casemiro might finally have a chance to compete for a starting spot. Carlo Ancelotti bringing him on was a last-ditch effort, hoping the young player's abundant stamina could bring some change. The last substitution slot was temporarily held back.
For Bayer Leverkusen, Julian Brandt, who was running out of energy, was replaced by Emre Can to further strengthen the defense. Two full-backs who had received yellow cards were also substituted.
Now, it was essentially an impenetrable formation of four defensive midfielders plus four defenders, with only Lance and Son Heung-min responsible for counter-attacks, though they also needed to drop back to defend in front of the box more often.
"Come on! Hold on for the last 10 minutes, and we'll be in the final!"
"Final! Final!"
The Bayer Leverkusen players were united in their efforts; every successful defensive play was met with high-fives and cheers to boost morale. For a time, the Real Madrid stars found themselves with no real answer against Bayer Leverkusen.
"Could it be?"
German TV commentator Mehmet Scholl was stunned. He had never dreamed that Bayer Leverkusen would actually have a chance to eliminate Real Madrid!
"The away goals rule is truly the greatest invention in Champions League history! In the first leg at Santiago Bernabéu, Lance's last-gasp goal set the stage! A 4-2 score, with two away goals. With an aggregate score of 4-4, Bayer Leverkusen will advance to the Champions League Final based on this advantage!"
"After 12 years, are we finally returning?"
Twelve years ago, it was also Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the backdrop for Real Madrid in the final. Zinedine Zidane's "Volley from Heaven" not only won Real Madrid their 9th Champions League title in club history but also made Bayer Leverkusen the "Triple Runner-up."
The reason German media frequently mentioned this was that, aside from making a meme, Bayer Leverkusen's "Triple Runner-up" was truly regrettable. Twelve years later, Bayer Leverkusen had a chance to avenge that final, to avenge Real Madrid!
Oliver Kahn was still relatively calm.
"Until the very last moment, anything can happen. Let's not open the champagne just yet."
"That's true, come on Bayer Leverkusen!"
Neutral or not neutral? Commentator Scholl didn't care; he was a Bundesliga commentator, supporting a Bundesliga team, so cheering for Bayer Leverkusen was perfectly fine.
On the field, Real Madrid's attack remained pressing. Every shot, every ball lofted into the box, every corner kick and set piece, caused Bayer Leverkusen fans' hearts to stop. Many patients with heart conditions almost couldn't watch such a match, quickly swallowing their heart medication.
Time passed minute by minute, and Real Madrid also gradually grew anxious. Even if they only needed one goal, 5-4 would be enough to eliminate Bayer Leverkusen. But Cristiano Ronaldo's sky-high shot still reflected his inner anxiety.
Cristiano Ronaldo cursed and spat, hands on his hips, frowning in complaint. To counter Real Madrid's strong attack, Bayer Leverkusen also paid a heavy price.
In just half an hour of the second half, a total of nine Bayer Leverkusen players in the midfield and defense received cards! English referee Howard Webb transformed into a card master. All four defenders were on yellow cards, including the two substitute full-backs.
Defensive midfielders Lars Bender and Simon Rolfes also received yellow cards. Even Lance received a yellow card for a tackle; he was severely exhausted but still gave his all to tackle Modrić outside the box.
It wasn't a successful defense, but BayArena still gave Lance a warm round of applause. Modrić got up from the ground, looking helpless, but he also admired Lance's fighting spirit, magnanimously embracing Lance to encourage the young player.
After a brief interlude, Cristiano Ronaldo's breathtaking free-kick was saved by goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
"Leno!! A world-class save! He kept Cristiano Ronaldo's shot out of the goal!"
"The match has entered injury time; Real Madrid has very little time left!"
Cristiano Ronaldo buried his head in his hands, looking up at the sky in regret. A rare flicker of doubt appeared in his eyes.
"Are we really going to lose to this kind of team? Damn it!"
But what could he do? The box was packed with players, making it impossible for Real Madrid to find an opening; the defensive shell was too tough.
Lance was almost cramping from running so much. With only one minute left in the match, Bayer Leverkusen had no more substitutions, so he could only try his best to hold on.
As the match was about to enter the final seconds, Real Madrid was still making its last desperate stand!
"Modrić, to Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo can't do anything, back to Modrić, Bale… Bale is also tangled up, to Di María…"
"Beautiful!! Lance is still trying, tackling Di María!"
"But Real Madrid still has possession, Casemiro gets the ball, dribbling forward… Is no one marking him? Casemiro!!"
Everyone on Bayer Leverkusen was exhausted. Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Modrić, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal… With so many star players attacking frantically, everyone had overlooked Casemiro, who had been promoted from Real Madrid's B team!
"Oh no!!"
Lance knew this person! He vaguely remembered him from his prophetic dreams! He was known as one of the "Three Midfielders of the Ceremony" alongside Modrić and Toni Kroos!
"Be careful!"
But it was too late for Lance to remember this detail! Casemiro displayed the inherent advantage of Brazilian players, dribbling past Emre Can and then Jens Hegeler!
The moment he entered the box, defender Ömer Toprak instantly panicked! He could have been calmer, held his position to block the pass, and Casemiro wouldn't have had many options. But he chose the stupidest defense, extending his leg to try and steal the ball!
Beep— A piercing whistle sounded!