Chapter 158: A Legendary Performance in the Final!
"Incredible goal!"
"Magnificent passing and movement!"
"The Spanish team has delivered a beautiful goal to both the live audience and viewers at home. I think any soccer fan shouldn't miss this spectacular goal."
"Yes, although Lin's final shot was straightforward, the teamwork leading up to it was astonishing. This goal perfectly showcases Spain's football philosophy: passing the ball into the opponent's net!"
On Sky Sports, Martin Tyler and Andy Gray provided commentary for the global audience.
Even though finals are often cagey affairs, this game made the two of them feel excited and passionate.
Both Brazil's opening goal and Spain's recent equalizer were outstanding and showcased their respective styles.
Brazil's team is young and energetic, scoring with speed and impact through a quick attack that broke Spain's defense!
Spain, known for their passing and movement, dazzled everyone with a stunning goal through intricate passing.
If the game continued at this pace, it was bound to be thrilling.
Both commentators couldn't wait for the rest of the match!
Online, fans were also buzzing about Spain's goal.
"Wow, what did I just see? Cover the jerseys and I'd think it was Barcelona playing!"
"This play really does look like Barcelona!"
"Spain's lineup has a lot of overlap with Barcelona. Their core players are from Barça, so it's not surprising they play like this!"
"Spain always used this tactic, but they've never been this terrifying. Lin's arrival has filled their final gap!"
After praising Spain, fans began worrying about Brazil:
"This game looks tough for Brazil. They only have 31% possession, with Spain controlling the ball most of the time. Without the ball, Brazil can't get shots to score!"
"I think Brazil should speed up. They need to push players forward. If they let Spain pass around near their box, they'll easily concede goals!"
"Right, in the last game, Italy did well in the first half by pushing their defensive lines up to the 30-meter danger zone, preventing Spain's passes from posing a direct threat."
"South American players are free-spirited; they probably can't play Italy's defensive tactics, right?"
...
Fans debated but couldn't find a perfect solution.
Countering Barça and Spain's possession football is a global challenge. Countless coaches have studied it for years.
But so far, few tactics have perfectly countered it.
The most successful was Heynckes' Bayern.
They kept a clean sheet against Barça in the Champions League semifinals, decisively outplaying possession football for the first time.
So, seeing his team struggle, Brazil's coach Scolari thought of Heynckes' tactics.
How did Heynckes defeat Barça?
Speed and strength!
Using the speed and individual ability of two exceptional wingers, Bayern continuously attacked Barça's flanks, pressuring their fullbacks and reducing their passing options.
They exploited Bayern's physical advantage, increasing running and physical confrontations to disrupt Barça's players, preventing them from holding the ball and creating fluid plays.
Brazil's wings weren't as strong as Bayern's, but their players weren't weak.
So, Scolari previously instructed his players to increase physical confrontations, but it seemed insufficient.
Spain had faced physically strong opponents before and found ways to deal with such confrontations.
If one tactic didn't work, they had to fully adopt Bayern's strategy, having their wingers join the attack more.
Thinking of this, Scolari called Thiago Silva over and gave instructions.
Back on the field, Silva immediately communicated the coach's plan.
After the restart, Brazil's tactics changed.
Noticing the adjustment, Martin Tyler commented:
"Brazil seems to be trying to break through from the wings. In the past few minutes, their attacks have started from the flanks. Neymar and Hulk are getting the ball more often."
Andy Gray replied:
"Neymar has the skills to beat defenders one-on-one, and Hulk, nicknamed the Invincible Giant by fans, has immense physical strength. Giving the ball to these two is a good strategy!"
Martin Tyler smiled slyly and asked:
"Andy, do you think Brazil's attacks will be effective?"
Without hesitation, Andy Gray replied:
"Of course. Brazil already scored a goal this way, proving it works!"
"Wow, I didn't expect you to favor Brazil so much. How about a bet then?"
Tyler knew Gray's aggressive nature and anticipated he'd fall for the bait.
"Sure, what's the bet?"
"The loser juggles a ball 100 times in the studio, wearing dress shoes!"
"Oh man, are you serious?"
Gray exaggeratedly looked at his partner. Martin Tyler was 68 years old and never a professional player.
Gray had been a professional in Scotland before switching to commentary.
This challenge would be easy for Gray but nearly impossible for Tyler.
"Of course. I'm confident Brazil's attacks won't work, so I dare to bet with you!"
Tyler appeared confident.
"Alright, I'm in!"
Gray knew his partner might be trying to create a spectacle to attract more viewers to Sky Sports.
So, he quickly agreed.
Their bet soon became a hot topic among fans. While few cared about Gray juggling, many were eager to see Tyler's attempt.
...
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea's manager's office.
Having re-signed with Chelsea, Mourinho watched the game in his office.
Hearing Gray and Tyler's bet, Mourinho scoffed.
Gray had wasted his years in football. Tyler, despite not playing, had better insight.
On the surface, Brazil's attacks seemed promising, with Neymar and Hulk troubling the defense.
But in reality, Spain's defense was solid, and Brazil's attacks didn't yield good results.
As the game progressed, Spain would soon regain possession.
Without the ball, how could Brazil launch attacks?
No attacks, no goals.
To beat teams like Barça, Mourinho believed in his philosophy:
Using efficient, quick counterattacks to break the defense in the shortest time.
Brazil lacked a midfield maestro to deliver quality passes.
With Neymar on the wing as a dribbler, their attacking organization suffered.
Could such attacks break Spain's defense?
Dream on!
Scolari seemed to be past his prime!
Not only Mourinho, but the entire football world watched this game.
In a Munich suburb estate, Bayern's new coach Guardiola had turned on the TV early.
To watch this game, he rearranged his schedule to ensure two hours of uninterrupted viewing.
Seeing Brazil's tactical changes, Guardiola pondered.
As the originator of possession football, Guardiola knew its strengths and weaknesses best.
He deeply studied Bayern's defeat of Barça in the Champions League.
Though there were tactical advantages, Bayern's superior strength was clear.
Though still formidable, Barça's squad was aging and not as dominant as during their sextuple-winning years!
Especially in midfield, an aging and less fit Xavi struggled in intense matches, making it easy for opponents to neutralize him.
Limiting Barça's midfield halves their attacking threat.
This applied to Spain too!
But Bosque cleverly placed Xavi in a defensive midfield role, protected by Martínez.
Moreover, to avoid pressure, Xavi often dropped to the backline, acting more like a defender than a midfielder.
In this deep position, even if opponents wanted to press him, they couldn't succeed due to his teammates' support.
Though Xavi's deep position reduced Barça's attacking power, Spain didn't have this issue.
Their front line was stronger, with many players able to replace Xavi in attack.
Xavi's role was simply to pass from the back.
This reduced his burden and pressure, allowing him to last longer and have more time to observe before making killer passes.
Guardiola had used this tactic with Busquets, dropping him back to a defensive position.
But Busquets lacked Xavi's experience and passing skills, so Xavi fit the role better.
Guardiola wondered:
Could he use this tactic at Bayern?
Who between Schweinsteiger and Kroos could drop back?
...
A tactic's success depends not only on execution but also on the opponent.
Spain clearly didn't intend to give opportunities.
In the 23rd minute, after clearing an attack, Casillas quickly passed to Xavi.
Fred immediately pressed, but without support, Xavi's signature turn eluded him.
Dribbling forward, Xavi observed teammates and opponents before delivering a through ball to Iniesta.
Iniesta returned it to Martínez, who passed back to the repositioned Iniesta.
Brazilian defenders quickly converged on Iniesta to block his breakthrough.
Running swiftly, Iniesta passed horizontally to Lin.
Lin received and passed forward, executing a one-two with Iniesta.
Defenders, instinctively watching the ball, saw Iniesta pass to Lin and became alert.
Lowering their guard on Iniesta, he broke free and entered the box, receiving the pass.
"Stop him!"
Seeing their defense about to be breached again, Cesar directed his teammates.
Thiago Silva and Marcelo rushed to Iniesta.
Marcelo tried to block, while Silva planned to intercept the pass.
Ten minutes ago, they had conceded to a similar move.
They wouldn't fall for it again!
Silva's judgment was spot-on. Facing Marcelo, Iniesta didn't intend to shoot.
He quickly passed, aiming for Lin.
Great opportunity!
Silva saw a chance to intercept and counterattack.
He stretched out, aiming to pass to a teammate.
But a quicker foot reached the ball first.
How could this be?
When did this guy get here?
Seeing Lin before him, Silva was shocked.
Lin had been seven or eight meters away when he passed to Iniesta. How did he get here in a blink?
Did he plan this one-two with Iniesta?
Seeing Silva fail, Alves and Luiz rushed at Lin.
With too many defenders, Lin's passing lanes were blocked.
He had to shoot!
Brazilian fans' hearts raced as Spain entered their box.
Seeing Lin surrounded by three defenders, they sighed in relief.
This attack
should be stopped, right?
But to their astonishment, Lin wriggled through the defenders like a nimble flea.
Brazilian fans were stunned, incredulous.
How did he do that?
Brazil's goalkeeper was also stunned, not expecting his teammates' blockade to fail!
Meanwhile, in Maracanã's box seats, Sky Sports' commentary booth, Stamford Bridge's coach's office, and Munich's estate.
Everyone watching had the same thought:
Is this guy even human?
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