Chapter 653 A Shocking Turn of Events

653 A Shocking Turn of Events

England looked visibly shaken by the early setback and were eager to reclaim their composure. Harry Kane restarted the game and passed the ball back to Jordan Henderson, who immediately sought to reestablish control.

The England players built up from there, and for the next few minutes, they worked tirelessly, trying to rebuild their rhythm. They passed the ball around the back and midfield, hoping to set the tempo and regain control. The Ivorians, however, remained relentless in their press. Zaha followed Zachary's advice to the letter and hounded Harry Maguire and John Stones, the English center-backs. His off-ball runs were relentless. They repeatedly forced the English defenders to play quicker than they were comfortable with. Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

But that was not all, as Zachary, Serey Dié, and the newly introduced Cheick Doukouré were also working hard in midfield. They ran at the English midfielders like mad, giving them no seconds on the ball. They high-pressed like there was no tomorrow and ensured that 'not a single' England player had the time to make any crucial decision that could hurt Ivory Coast.

With their backs against the wall, the English players quickly adapted their strategy, shifting to aggressive wing-play tactics. Kieran Trippier and Ashley Young began making daring runs down the flanks, sending cross after cross into the box in search of their star striker, Harry Kane. However, the Ivorian defense remained resolute and well-organized. Serge Aurier, Eric Bailly, and Lamine Koné were as tenacious as ever at the back. They repeatedly thwarted these attempts, keeping Kane under tight surveillance and clearing all the dangerous balls.

As the game reached the 29th minute, a significant shift in momentum occurred. England earned a corner kick after a relentless attack. The anticipation around the stadium mounted as Ashley Young stepped up to take the corner. His delivery was precise, and he sent the ball spiraling into the crowded Ivorian box with a nasty curl. What followed was a fierce aerial battle. Players jostled and leaped, hoping to connect with the incoming corner ball. But it was Cheick Doukouré, the recently introduced defensive midfielder, who rose highest. Towering over three English players, Doukouré headed the ball with a commanding presence, sending it flying out of the danger zone.

Ivory Coast had stunned England again and doubled their lead to 2-0 during the 32nd minute. Zachary's teammates swarmed him, their joy unrestrained. They almost couldn't believe they were already leading by two goals against one of the best teams in Europe after just over half an hour of gameplay.

On the sidelines, Coach Hervé Renard pumped his fists in the air, his tactical decisions paying off. The commentators were also in awe. "What a sensational free-kick by Zachary Bemba! Ivory Coast has doubled their lead, and it's that man again making the difference! Ivory Coast is now 2-0 up against England. This is incredible!"

"The precision, the confidence—Zachary has been nothing short of spectacular during this World Cup campaign," another commentator added. "He has done it again tonight, and England has a mountain to climb now."

The celebrations eventually ended, and as the players reset for the restart, Zachary's mind was already on the next play. There were still many minutes of the game on the clock, and he knew they couldn't afford to relax, not even for a second. His focus was unwavering, his desire to help Ivory Coast reach the World Cup final driving him forward.

As they retook their positions, Zachary yelled and encouraged his teammates to stay focused and keep pressing hard. The game was theirs to win, and with each passing minute, the dream of reaching the World Cup final would grow closer to reality.