621 Japan vs Colombia III
With his eyes wide open, Yamada fixedly followed Hiro. The whole stadium was bursting with excitement. Yamada, however, couldn't bring himself to resonate with the stadium's atmosphere. One after the other, his teammates passed him while he dazedly followed Hiro. He could vividly see his teammates rejoicing. He could also see the dejected opposing players. Amidst this cathedral of overflowing emotions, he appeared to be stuck. The world around him was painted in colorful colors while he alone was grey. Just what had taken place?
Yamada could recall the moment until he fell. However, after he fell, he couldn't remember anything. With a rather dumbfounded expression, he glanced at the huge screen.
Immediately after he struck the ball, the ball flew to an open space. The opposing players were rushing in panic. Suddenly, Hiro entered the scene, sprinting into the open space at a lightning pace. It was like watching a phantom emerging on the scene. When the ball dropped, Hiro swept his leg, sending the ball flying toward the post. The ball curved on its path, leaving the opposing keeper bewildered. In a split second, the ball had already struck the top corner. Yamada retracted his gaze from the screen and rolled it toward Hiro.
With that goal, Japan had taken the lead. Simultaneously, Hiro had broken a record, establishing himself as the youngest goal scorer in the World Cup. Previously, the record was held by Pele, the person regarded as the king of football. But now that record was broken. The Japanese audience, however, believed that it wouldn't be the only record he would break. At this instant, the whole world was shaken. The internet was buzzing with inquiries for Hiro. They wanted to find out who this seventeen-year-old sensation was. While the game was still ongoing, Hiro was trending. Who is the number 19 of Japan's national football team? Is the number 19 of Japan's football team really seventeen years old?
More than the inquiries, the footage of Hiro scoring the volley against Colombia went viral. In previous Euro, the footballing fans had been marveled by the performance of seventeen-year-old Yamal. Now, here in the World Cup, another seventeen-year-old was shining. So, how couldn't the world be interested?
After Messi and Ronaldo's departure, the world has always been interested in finding the next GOAT of football. So, how would they react if suddenly another prodigy rose from the ashes?
By now, the game had already entered the second half. With them tailing, the Colombian players were charging even more intensely. Especially, their speedy fullbacks were the most threatening. Often, they would pop up on the flanks and deliver a threatening pass. After that, they'd swiftly retreat to their position. However, despite all their efforts, the opposition still couldn't seem to find the much-needed goal to tie the game. Although the Japanese players appeared to be struggling on the field, they were still able to defend the relentless charge of the opposing team. Just from their performance alone, it could be estimated that they had prepared thoroughly for the match. With the rising intensity of the match, the viewers were also growing in numbers. Well, most of the credit could be attributed to Hiro. The footage of Hiro executing that brilliant volley which gave the Japanese team the lead in the game had gone viral, garnering the curiosity of many. The world wanted to find out how great this next sensation was. Meanwhile, on the pitch, the game had entered a dreadlock with both sides failing to score. On the sideline, the opposing coach was already preparing a few substitutes in hopes of shifting the tide in their favor. Just then, in the 73rd minute, James lobbed the ball to the right flank. Luis easily collected the ball and began to sprint. The Japanese defenders tried to stop him. However, even with their numbers, they failed to stop Luis. Like a sprinting cheetah, he left them by the dust. After getting past two opposing defenders, Luis entered the final third. There he came upon the final hurdle before he could get to the post. Tomiyasu, a rather skilled defender awaited his presence, standing tall before him like a colossal mountain. Luis's gaze drifted to him briefly before he retracted it to the ball. Step! Step! Step!
With swift nimble steps, he approached Tomiyasu who had his eyes fixated on him like a hawk looking at its prey. The people in the stadium were prepared to experience a fierce duel between the two. For a brief moment while the two competed, the entire stadium held their breath and a hush silence fell upon the stadium. Both Luis and Tomiyasu entwined in a brilliant dance, their moves contrasting each other while they tried to outpower each other.