"Following a series of unfair decisions, Borussia Dortmund's morale has visibly plummeted."
"Barcelona has regained possession and initiated their familiar tiki-taka style."
"Because the earlier penalty wasn't called, the score remains 1-1, with an aggregate of 6-6—"
"If the score holds until the end, Barcelona will advance to the Champions League final with the away goal advantage."
"Time is running out, and Borussia Dortmund is now facing a desperate situation."
"Head coach Jürgen Klopp has been sent to the stands, and several players, including Jin Hayes, Jakub Błaszczykowski, Sebastian Kehl, Mats Hummels, Patrick Owomoyela, and Marcel Schmelzer, are all carrying yellow cards."
"Barcelona continues to press, forcing Borussia Dortmund to retreat into their own half and desperately defend."
At this point, German TV commentator Berenberg's face was etched with a bitter, despairing smile.
"Can they still win?"
"The possibility of winning is already minuscule; Barcelona's pressure makes it impossible for them to commit players to counter-attack." German football legend Bierhoff was equally despairing.
"Jin Hayes's individual brilliance to equalise in the first half must have exhausted him more than we imagined."
"After all, he dribbled past every Barcelona player by himself. Both physically and mentally, that goal was an unimaginable feat. Jin Hayes has done everything humanly possible."
"In the second half, Jin Hayes has rarely been seen dribbling past more than one player on his own. It's clear that he is now relying entirely on his willpower to keep going—"
As Bierhoff spoke, many German fans in front of their televisions were on the verge of tears. On the Kicker forum, the Borussia Dortmund match thread had completely exploded, with netizens offering their most sincere respect to Jin Hayes.
"Jin's performance in the second half isn't surprising; that goal truly burned everything."
"I'm already crying uncontrollably. Jin is truly a moving player!"
"While other kids his age are still playing in youth academies, Jin has given his all on the Champions League semi-final stage."
"Even if Jin's star fades from today, that solo goal at the end of the first half is enough to etch his name into history!"
"Even if they lose, Jin is Borussia Dortmund's saviour."
"Bayern fans offer their respect. I was an idiot; I shouldn't have criticised Jin before."
"Schalke 04 fans publicly apologise to Jin here; he is my hero, regardless of today's outcome."
"Wolfsburg fans believe Jin is the most handsome star in the world; he completely outshone Lionel Messi today!"
"Jin could have just given up, but he's still running on the field."
"I used to hate Jin Hayes to the bone, but today I've understood Jin's charm. I'm sorry for all the bad things I said before."
"Borussia Dortmund is the uncrowned king in my heart."
"Congratulations, Barcelona. There's no need for the final; just give Barcelona the trophy directly."
"It's truly too obvious. As a Manchester United fan, I feel wronged for Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund absolutely deserved to win."
"It's just a pity that Barcelona will be the ones advancing to the final—"
Online forums in England, France, Italy, and even Spain were all discussing this bizarre match. Except for a segment of Catalan fans, the vast majority of supporters sided with Borussia Dortmund. Unfortunately, Barcelona seemed to have no possibility of losing today.
Just now, outside the box, substitute Florian Kringe executed a clean slide tackle, first hitting the ball and sending it out for a goal kick, but couldn't stop his momentum and also brought down Messi. Yet, the head referee, Tom Henning Øvrebø, still blew his whistle, awarding a free kick in an offensive position, slightly to the right, about 24 metres out—Messi's favourite area.
"Hahahahaha, why am I not surprised?"
"Sure enough, it's a foul. I guessed right."
"Messi's diving is comparable to Cristiano Ronaldo's—"
"As a Catalan, even I can't watch this. That tackle was clearly excellent."
"Congratulations, Barcelona."
This decision extinguished hope. With Messi standing over the free kick, Barcelona's chances of winning surged again. Journalists in the press box were already writing articles about Barcelona advancing to the final. Even Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink was instructing his assistants to stop studying Borussia Dortmund and focus entirely on their final opponent, Barcelona. The outcome was decided.
"What a shame; Borussia Dortmund played such a good game."
Guus Hiddink couldn't help but sigh; he had hoped to face Klopp. Putting aside the refereeing, Borussia Dortmund's tactical adjustments against Barcelona in the second half were brilliant. Their 4-4-2 defensive and 4-2-3-1 offensive system did, to some extent, limit Barcelona's tiki-taka play. Many detailed arrangements showed clear strategic thinking.
Guus Hiddink also intended to draw inspiration from it to prepare Chelsea to face Barcelona in the final. After Luiz Felipe Scolari's dismissal, as a caretaker manager, Hiddink led Chelsea to the Champions League semi-finals, with one foot in the final.
At the same time, they were still in contention with Manchester United for the league title. If he could win both trophies, Hiddink, remaining at Chelsea, planned to try and persuade Roman Abramovich during the summer transfer window to see if Jin Hayes could be signed.
"This kid deserves to perform in the Champions League final."
...
Roman Weidenfeller was 28 years old this year, in the prime of his career. Since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2002, he had accompanied the team from its peak to its lowest point, and these past two seasons finally brought hope of a resurgence. He saw firsthand how hard Jin Hayes worked. This young man was always the first to arrive and the last to leave, and at his age, he shouldn't have had to push himself so hard.
Especially in this Champions League campaign, Jin Hayes had brought the team to heights that didn't belong to them. And facing the referee's unjust decisions, his breathtaking solo run ignited the entire team's morale. The reason the team hadn't collapsed and could continue to defend was precisely Jin Hayes's actions at the end of the first half. With him on the field, everyone felt much more secure.
"Not like this, I can't let him fight alone!"
"I must, I must do something!"
Directing the wall to block the near post, Weidenfeller's gaze was fixed on Messi, who was about to take the kick. Messi had already taken two free kicks today, both nearly going in. Both times he chose to shoot over the wall towards the near post, each more dangerous than the last. So this time, he would surely choose to aim for the near post again, bending a shot around the wall, trying to hit the corner.
No. The moment Messi started his run-up, Weidenfeller's heart tightened. Equally tense were all the fans watching, holding their breath in suspense.
"Messi, free kick shot!!" Accompanied by commentator Berenberg's roar, Messi swung his left foot, pausing slightly just before striking the ball. Waiting for the moment the wall jumped. Messi's calf whipped the ball like a lash.
"Danger!!!"
Berenberg cried out in alarm. Messi didn't aim for the top corner this time; he did the opposite, a cunning low shot that snaked under the wall's feet. Most goalkeepers wouldn't react in time; this ball was surely going in. All Borussia Dortmund fans' hearts stopped, and as the entire Camp Nou crowd rose to cheer.
"Weidenfeller!!! He dove and blocked the ball out for a goal kick!!"
"My God!! A world-class save, saving the team from disaster!"
"He is still Borussia Dortmund's reliable goalkeeping talisman!"
Jin Hayes even thought that goal was a certainty. After Barcelona's passing game had worn them down, it was now the 84th minute of the match; Borussia Dortmund had only 5 minutes left. If Messi scored, Barcelona would lead 2-1, and Borussia Dortmund would need to score two consecutive goals and prevent Barcelona from scoring again. Even an equaliser would still lead to elimination on away goals.
But Weidenfeller stepped up. Not only was he fighting alone, but his Borussia Dortmund teammates were also fighting desperately behind him.
...
"So cool!!"
"Go, go, quickly defend!"
Mats Hummels wanted to hug Weidenfeller and kiss his forehead, but the goalkeeper pushed him away in annoyance. Barcelona's corner kick. Xavi quickly took a short corner. This was no time for celebration. Sure enough, Barcelona's quick corner caught Marcel Schmelzer off guard, and he couldn't stop Dani Alves.
Right-back Alves's cross was excellent, finding Samuel Eto'o at the far post. The Cheetah gently flicked it with the inside of his foot, shooting towards the goal. Borussia Dortmund fans felt their hearts stop once again; they were almost in despair. Eto'o, who took the shot, even felt it was a sure thing. With such a large goal, he could kick it in any way, and he was already preparing to celebrate. Barcelona players were also raising their hands in celebration.
"Weidenfeller!!! Another incredible save!!! He pushed it out for a goal kick!"
"Two world-class saves in a row! He saved this team!"
"Borussia Dortmund! They haven't lost yet! There's still a chance!!"
This time, Weidenfeller could no longer hold back, rising to his feet with a lion's roar, unleashing his emotions wildly. Borussia Dortmund players rekindled their hope. Within the last 5 minutes, if they could just score one more goal, Borussia Dortmund still had a chance.
Weidenfeller's consecutive incredible saves even left the Barcelona players a bit stunned, and their subsequent corner kick posed no threat.
Unfortunately, Weidenfeller took a short goal kick, attempting a quick counter-attack. The ball was passed forward, and Nuri Şahin made a through pass, looking for Jin Hayes. The passing intention was too obvious, intercepted by Yaya Touré in midfield, and possession remained with Barcelona.
85 minutes, 86 minutes, 87 minutes—after Weidenfeller's two consecutive incredible saves just now, Borussia Dortmund's newly ignited morale was gradually fading.
"Barcelona has started to play cautiously; they are no longer pursuing offence, no longer trying to extend their lead." Commentator Berenberg's expression was serious. "Xavi, Seydou Keita, Lionel Messi—they are no longer risking through balls; everyone is choosing conservative short passes."
"In the final few minutes, Borussia Dortmund can only run tirelessly, unable to even touch the ball."
"This is Pep Guardiola's football philosophy: the best defence is always to keep the ball at your own feet."
Berenberg gave a bitter chuckle.
Barcelona had chickened out; they feared Jin Hayes's counter-attacks. Rather than giving Dortmund a chance, it was better to run down the remaining time. Compared to the wide-open 5-5 of the previous match, today was only 1-1. For most of the time, the ball was being passed around in Barcelona's midfield and defence.
"Xavi, Keita, Yaya Touré, Keita, Xavi—Dani Alves, going forward—and passed back again."
"Messi!! Uh, he didn't choose to dribble, continuing to pass back to Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol—Víctor Valdés, Éric Abidal—"
The commentator was numb, reciting Barcelona players' names like a menu. Eventually, he simply fell silent, watching Barcelona pass the ball around in their own half. On German Sport1's live broadcast, a strange two-minute silence occurred.
The fourth official on the sideline was adjusting the electronic board, ready for injury time at any moment. The German fans, who had been furious and emotional just moments before, now sat in the away stands, their faces numb, utterly despondent. The Camp Nou stadium had turned into a massive sing-along, with fans lighting flares, singing joyfully, and waving Barcelona flags to celebrate their victory.
"No one is your match, mighty Barça, invincible, the flag flies high, red and blue are its colours, the team fights bravely, let us shout its name, Barça! Barça! Ba-a-arça!"
Stamina, morale, time—everything was going against Borussia Dortmund. The Dortmund players on the field were already lost, unsure how to find an opportunity to counter-attack. Dortmund still had two substitutions left, with youngsters like Mario Götze and İlkay Gündoğan on the bench, who might provide an unexpected boost. But Klopp had been sent to the stands, and assistant coach Željko Buvač was at a loss, completely bewildered.
Barring any surprises, it would all be over, and Borussia Dortmund would conclude their Champions League journey as semi-finalists. They would be defeated but glorious, still praised by the whole world. Conversely, Barcelona's victory felt somewhat undeserved; if not for the referee's blatant favouritism, Jakub Błaszczykowski's goal should have killed the game.
"It's over—"
Buvač sighed deeply. He truly saw no hope.
And Guardiola still didn't want Borussia Dortmund to have it easy. Coach Guardiola often kept three substitutions until the 90th minute in the league. Now, the time was ripe, and he deliberately used one substitution per minute to run down the clock.
Sergio Busquets replaced Seydou Keita. 18-year-old youngster Bojan Krkić replaced Eto'o. Youngster Víctor Sánchez replaced left-back Éric Abidal.
By the time the substitutions were complete, it was already injury time. Injury time was only 3 minutes. The substitutions just now delayed 1 minute, Iniesta falling to the ground delayed another 1 minute. The time had already jumped to 92 minutes and 24 seconds.
In front of the TV, Uncle Hans had long since put down his beer. Aunt Maria hugged Uncle Hans tightly, burying her head in her husband's chest, feeling like crying for some reason. Grandpa Fritz, the old man had just been discharged from the hospital, and everyone hadn't let him watch this match, arranging for him to sleep early.
Otherwise, the old man, with his fiery temper, would have wanted to raise his captured rifle and shoot referee Tom Henning Øvrebø on the TV. Hans sighed to the heavens, still comforting his wife.
Even if Borussia Dortmund lost, they lost standing tall, so there was nothing to be sad about. Only Anna in the corner still clutched her pillow tightly, her toes gripping the sofa, staring at the TV with hopeful eyes.
"As long as it's not over, there's still a chance to win!"
We are of one mind.
Jin Hayes on the field thought the same way. He was still constantly moving and pulling, looking for a suitable opportunity to counter-attack. After 10 minutes of silence, he had figured out Barcelona's player positioning and found the most probable winning solution. The only thing needed was possession.
However—Wow!!
As Barcelona attempted to attack, Busquets made a late run, received the ball, and burst into the box—at that moment, he fell to the ground. Head referee Øvrebø, with sharp eyes, pointed to the penalty spot.
Injury time 92:35, the score on the field 1-1, aggregate 6-6, Barcelona leading on away goals—they had been awarded a fatal penalty in the final moments.
"It's over."
Klopp in the stands sighed sadly. The fans were utterly despairing. The Dortmund players were on the verge of collapse.
At this moment, a strange voice suddenly appeared in Jin Hayes's mind.
"Are there really miracles in this world?"
"Yes, there are!"