Capítulo 411: Epic Last-Minute Decider
As the clock ticked down in the Lion's Den, the tension was building for everyone watching this final. This game was about more than just three points; it could very well decide who would lift the league trophy at the end of the game.
The next goal could very well determine the league champion.
Both Millwall and Arsenal fans had their eyes closed, hands clasped together, praying to the heavens.
Aldrich would never pray, not even in his mind.
Minutes into the second half, he made a decisive tactical adjustment, believing that relying on wide passing and quick interchanges to break down Arsenal's defense was a bit too optimistic.
He instructed the attack to focus on the left flank!
Larsson, Henry, Lampard, and Pirlo frequently moved the ball left, applying pressure to Arsenal's right side and forcing Overmars to retreat constantly to defend. This also stifled Arsenal's right-side attacks. Schneider on the right stopped joining the attack, effectively freezing Pires after the score reached 2:2.
As Arsenal played away, Wenger had few adjustments left to make. They could only counterattack through the center, but if they couldn't maintain possession there, their counterattacks would lack power.
At this stage of the game, it's a test of nerves! Everything depends on who makes a mistake – who loses the ball in the marking phase, who dives for the ball and then gets fooled, allowing the opponent to break through the defense.
As the match entered the 80th minute, it was clear that Arsenal's players were struggling to keep up with Millwall, especially on the defensive line, which had an average age of over 34.
The left-sided focus of Millwall's attack was strategic, a classic feint!
Pressure after pressure, initially the numbers were equal and Arsenal held firm. However, as fatigue set in, Larsson easily broke past Winterburn into a cross that nearly allowed Henry to score. The Arsenal players realized they needed to provide more support on the right defense.
With the match hanging in the balance, the clock ticked to the 89th minute, and the fourth official raised the dreaded board: three minutes of stoppage time. The stadium buzzed with anxiety, as both sides understood that these final moments could change everything—one misstep could lead to glory or despair!
"Three minutes! Only three minutes left in the entire match. If the score ends up like this, Millwall will lift the league trophy! Meanwhile, the score at Manchester United is still 1:1."
Aldrich was closely monitoring the situation at Old Trafford. It appeared favorable; as long as Millwall managed a draw and Manchester United did the same, Millwall would clinch the league title. However, Aldrich knew he couldn't pull his team back; they needed to press forward. This was the moment for genuine risk.
Arsenal had not given up yet. At this juncture, if they could net just one goal, they could stage an incredible turnaround to claim the championship!
"Oh wow! Manchester United has scored a last-minute winner against Spurs! 2:1! Reports from Old Trafford tell us that United scored in the 90th minute! 2:1! 2:1! Manchester United is now just waiting for the outcome of this match! If Millwall can't secure a victory, United will lift the trophy! Who would have guessed we'd be in this situation? Just 2 minutes left—will Millwall collapse in the final moments? Arsenal has no opportunities left! None!"
At Old Trafford, Ferguson celebrated jubilantly as his team orchestrated a comeback. Spurs seemed to have given up, and United began to play possession football, wasting time. All their focus was on the Lions' Den, eager to hear the outcome.
Ferguson and his assistant whispered together as the latter listened to the radio broadcasts, updating Ferguson every three seconds on the score.
2:2
2:2
2:2
Ferguson kept checking his watch, muttering, "Damn it, just let it end in 2:2!"
In the Lions' Den, Wenger turned pale upon learning of Manchester United's 2:1 lead.
"Damn Spurs!" he muttered under his breath.
Were they messing with us on purpose?
Both fanbases in the stands received the news almost immediately.
Arsenal fans were disheartened.
Even if they somehow managed to score against Millwall now, the title would no longer be theirs.
Millwall's fans also took a hit mentally, their spirits dampened by the news.
Yet, at this moment, Brady turned to all the Lions fans and shouted, "Let's all chant something!"
Everyone looked at him, thinking he was going to get them to rally together with a cheer.
But Brady bellowed, "Let's chant: Manchester United 2:1 Spurs!"
Suddenly, the crowd understood the significance of his words.
In an instant, the Lions' Den erupted with deafening cheer.
"Manchester United 2:1 Spurs!"
"Manchester United 2:1 Spurs!"
"Manchester United 2:1 Spurs!"
...
On the field, the Arsenal players were oblivious to the score at Old Trafford. They couldn't deduce it from the fans' reactions either. Without a goal, there's no title, and the fans were naturally disappointed.
Wenger certainly wouldn't share the result with his players—that would be shooting himself in the foot.
However, when the chant of "Manchester United 2:1 Spurs" echoed through the stadium, the Arsenal players felt as if they had been struck by lightning.
For heaven's sake, that nemesis Spurs, we were counting on you to park the bus against United!
Clearly, they couldn't rely on their arch-nemeses.
Arsenal's hopes of winning had been thoroughly shattered, but Millwall still had a chance.
Just as Arsenal's morale plummeted, the game approached the final minute of stoppage time.
Zambrotta intercepted Overmars from behind, sending a direct pass to Larsson. Larsson took a couple of dribbles before a precise through ball found Henry, who made a diagonal run to the left to control the ball. Without stopping, he half-turned and swept the ball across to the right.
"There's a big gap in Arsenal's left-side defense! Gronkjaer beat Dixon to the ball in the box! Adams is closing in to block his shooting angle. Gronkjaer lays it back to the edge of the box—Lampard is in position!"
Vieira and Petit rushed to block Lampard's shot, but they were clearly trailing off in their pace, perhaps due to fatigue or the dissolution of spirit after realizing their title hopes were extinguished.
At this point, Lampard kept his cool and did not shoot, but cleverly passed the ball out wide where Pirlo ran over to control the ball. With one deft touch, Pirlo broke through the entire Arsenal defence and now had only goalkeeper Seaman in front of him.
Seaman rushed out, trying to narrow the angle, but Pirlo calmly slotted the ball towards goal.
This opportunity was very precious, so he chose the safest way to shoot - he absolutely could not miss it!
With the distance so short, Seaman instinctively reduced himself as the ball rolled towards him, but it was too late; the ball slipped right past him and into the back of the net.
"Last-minute winner! Last-minute winner! Last-minute winner! Pirlo has delivered the killer blow! His shot pierced right through Seaman! Millwall shattered Manchester United's championship dreams at the last moment! Heroic Pirlo—he scored twice in this match!"
The Lions' Den erupted; many fans wept tears of joy and some even attempted to storm the field to embrace the players.
Pirlo rushed to the corner flag, but before he could celebrate, he was enveloped by teammates, forming a massive pile!
Aldrich, upon hearing about United's last-minute goal, felt his heart racing uncontrollably.
Calm?
Damn it, who can stay calm at a time like this?
Trying to steady himself, he took a couple of swigs from his water bottle, but suddenly, as he saw Pirlo score, he sprayed the water out and hurled the bottle away, possibly hitting a ball boy on the sidelines...
Then, Aldrich's expression shifted to one of manic excitement as he sprinted along the sideline toward his players.
What a rollercoaster of emotions!
Just seconds before, United scored, now Millwall had done the same!
Aldrich's hair was disheveled and his clothes in disarray as he ran wildly, nearly tripping. Yet, he continued to yell as he made his way to the players, landing right into the bosom of Materazzi, who steadied him as Aldrich pumped his fist and roared, "Damn football, screw that lucky goddess! You are the Super Lions! Millwall, we are champions! We are the strongest! We will make everyone bow down before us!"
"Oh wow, Hall celebrated passionately once again. Just look at that expression on his face—like a devil who clawed his way back from hell! Who knew a handsome guy could look like that? Ha! His team has just beaten Arsenal and is on the verge of reclaiming the Premier League title—this is crucial for him and Millwall. Hall knows he must make an impact this season, especially after losing half of the main squad, to show everyone that Millwall won't fall apart or step back from competing with top teams, because Millwall still has him! This will boost the team's confidence and entice more quality talents to join Millwall. Today, they've done it! If they secure the title, this season will be etched in history as one of the most competitive and thrilling in England's top leagues. Millwall clinches the championship at the last minute, edging out Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea!"
Millwall's players formed a triumphant huddle, each embracing Pirlo, even Gattuso dashed from the bench to kiss Pirlo on the cheek.
After hugging Pirlo, Aldrich ripped off his disheveled suit and threw it toward the stands, where fans scrambled to grab it. Raising his arms, Aldrich prompted the fans to cheer louder, together celebrating Millwall's return to the pinnacle of top-flight football.
Arsenal players stood with their hands on their hips, while Wenger returned to his seat.
Unless Arsenal scored two quick goals, their position wouldn't change. Even if they did score twice, they would only finish as runners-up, though a silver lining awaited them: they would not have to endure a playoff for European qualification next season.
As Aldrich walked back to the touchline, he noticed his assistants and a few players gathered around. Curious, he approached to see Aguero standing innocently in the middle while the medical staff tended to his nose, which was bleeding.
Frowning, Aldrich asked, "What happened to him?"
Aguero had been at the sidelines as a ball boy earlier, and now De Rossi was laughing heartily, "Boss, you hit him!"
Aldrich was baffled, "What does it have to do with me?"
Aguero looked near tears, still clutching a water bottle.
Aldrich glanced over, then caught sight of the water bottle Aguero was gripping—it was the very bottle Aldrich had carelessly thrown away during his celebration!
That instant had been caught on live broadcast; the cameras panned to Aldrich as he sprayed water and flung the bottle. When they later replayed it, they'd see Aguero being struck by the half-full bottle just as he was gearing up to sprint onto the pitch after Pirlo's goal.
Poor Aguero! He saw Pirlo score and was so excited he sprinted towards the celebration,He had taken only one step before feeling a rush of air beside his head. When he turned, bang! He felt dizzy, blood streaming from his nose, and then he slumped to the ground as the bottle bounced into the air, slowly returning to earth...
Aldrich patted Aguero's head, offered an apology, and told him to stay on the sidelines until they could celebrate together.
Turning his gaze back to the field, the Arsenal players prepared for the kickoff. How much longer would stoppage time last? No one knew—only the referee would determine that.
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