Chapter 601: The Red Dot Combo
While the Real Madrid players were wildly celebrating their goal, the Manchester United players stood on the field, dejected and motionless.
They had only been in the lead for three minutes before being equalized again — that was a hard blow to take.
After all, in the first half, when Manchester United scored their first goal, Real Madrid had needed barely ten minutes to level the score. And now, after United finally worked so hard to get their second goal, Real Madrid had taken only three minutes to equalize once more.
This created a psychological shadow for many United players: no matter how hard we fight, Real Madrid will always catch up in no time!
That's Real Madrid for you.United players wiped the sweat from their faces, many feeling lost and uncertain — facing such a powerful Real Madrid, can we really win?
Then came Bruno's hoarse but determined voice:"We can win! It's only a tie! We just need one more goal! Since we've taken the lead twice, we can do it a third time!!"
Some turned to look at him. Their captain waved his arms passionately, shouting alternately toward Harry Kane, then toward Virgil van Dijk, then at Harry Maguire, and finally gripping Kylian Mbappé's shoulder.
When the entire team was drowning in frustration, only he still burned with fighting spirit.
"We fought our way to the final for what? For the championship!""There are still more than twenty minutes left — enough time for us to score again!""Believe in our attack! Real Madrid can't hold us back!"
He kept rousing everyone until their heads finally lifted again.
...
As Real Madrid's celebration came to an end, Bruno picked up the ball and ran back to the center circle. He was ready to strike back — to show his teammates that when he says something, he means it.
In truth, Bruno was nervous. As a time traveler, he knew that in another timeline, Real Madrid had beaten Liverpool 3–1 in this very season's final.
Now, even though Manchester United had replaced Liverpool and were stronger overall, he wasn't sure if that would be enough to change the ultimate outcome.
After all, under Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid had won three consecutive Champions League titles in just two and a half years — a feat fans around the world treated almost like sorcery. That's how Zidane earned the nickname "Zizou the Mystic."
But regardless, Bruno had no intention of surrendering. He would fight until the referee blew the final whistle.
"What a remarkable player…" sighed the Portuguese commentator as he watched Bruno's determination.
British commentator Andy Gray echoed the sentiment, cheering Bruno on:"It's only a draw, nothing to worry about! Just one more goal, and they'll be ahead again. If they can retake the lead after the 80th minute, the match will be as good as won! I don't believe Real Madrid can equalize again so quickly!"
Of course, he wasn't really cheering for Bruno — Bruno couldn't hear him anyway. He was cheering for himself, and for the millions of Manchester United fans watching from their living rooms, confused, hurting, and desperate for hope: believe in this man; he always finds a way to create miracles!
...
But this time, it seemed that God was not on Bruno's side — nor on Manchester United's. Eight minutes after the restart, in the 71st minute, disaster struck again.
Before United could fully recover from being equalized, Real Madrid launched a swift counterattack. Gareth Bale broke free — one-on-one!
"Bale! Bale! Real Madrid's chance! A golden opportunity!!" the Spanish commentator shouted hysterically.
The crowd erupted — Real Madrid fans roaring in ecstasy, United supporters screaming in panic, trying to distract Bale.
David de Gea charged off his line as Bale entered the box, deciding to commit to the challenge. But Bale feinted, creating an angle.
De Gea had only one thought left: Stop him! At any cost!He dove sideways, reaching out — and grabbed Bale's right leg.
Bale's body flew forward while his leg was held back, and he inevitably fell to the ground. The ball rolled free.
"Penalty!!!" roared the Real Madrid fans.
The commentators shouted in unison: "Penalty!"
The referee's whistle blew sharply. He ran into the box — and pointed to the penalty spot!
It was indeed a penalty!
"YES!!!" screamed the Real Madrid supporters, throwing their arms high toward the sky.
"Manchester United have suffered a devastating blow — only eight minutes after conceding, they now face another! De Gea brought Bale down inside the box, and the referee has awarded the ultimate punishment!"
...
The United fans clutched their heads in disbelief.
They couldn't believe how drastically this final had turned — how quickly the tide had shifted.
They had been in control — and within ten minutes, the advantage had completely swung to Real Madrid!
As commentators discussed how the penalty could change the entire course of the match, the referee wasn't finished yet.
United's misfortune wasn't over. Serbian referee Milorad Mažić reached into his breast pocket — and pulled out… a red card!!
"Red… red card! Red card! David de Gea has been sent off!"
"Ohhhhhh—what a dramatic twist! Not only have Manchester United been penalized with a spot-kick, but their goalkeeper has also been shown a red card!"
"United are doomed… with just twenty minutes left, they face both a penalty and a one-man disadvantage. I don't see how they can possibly beat Real Madrid now. Real Madrid are about to claim another Champions League title!"
...
On the broadcast, the camera showed De Gea's face — full of anguish and despair. But even that couldn't compare to the pain of the Manchester United fans watching at home.
A penalty. Their main goalkeeper sent off. Could there be a worse situation?
Now they would not only fall behind but also be outnumbered.
The match, in essence, was already over.
...
Fans felt this way because, in modern football, no team had ever come back to beat Real Madrid while down to ten men.
Look at last season's Juventus — what a powerful side they were. Under coach Massimiliano Allegri, nicknamed "Uncle Max," they had dominated Serie A, clinched the title early, and added the Coppa Italia to complete a domestic double.
In the Champions League, they had also been magnificent — topping their group unbeaten, then defeating Porto twice in the round of sixteen (2–0 and 1–0), thrashing Barcelona 3–0 at home and drawing 0–0 away, eliminating the Catalans 3–0 on aggregate. In the semifinals, they crushed Monaco home and away again (2–0 and 2–1), reaching the final undefeated.
Fans worldwide hailed Juventus as the next great treble-winning team, following in the footsteps of Celtic, Ajax, PSV, Manchester United, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Bayern Munich.
But in the final, against Real Madrid, Juventus parked the bus — and luck finally deserted them. Overwhelmed by Real Madrid's relentless attack, they collapsed and lost 1–4.
And now, Manchester United were in an even worse position — not only trailing but forced to push forward in search of an equalizer, leaving massive gaps behind.
Real Madrid only needed one more goal — 4–2 — and it would be over. They'd seal a historic third consecutive Champions League title.
Since the Champions League's modern era began, no team other than Real Madrid had ever defended the title. Now they stood on the brink of doing it three times in a row — a truly monumental achievement.
Was Manchester United really finished?
...
On TV, commentator He Wei fumed:"This is unfair! That decision is highly questionable. De Gea did foul him, yes — but a penalty was enough, maybe a yellow at most. The red card was unnecessary! What good does it do? It kills the suspense and ruins the spectacle! Up until now, this has been the most thrilling Champions League final in years, and now the referee's red card has destroyed it!"
He kept ranting, but no one was really listening anymore.
Because what could a commentator's complaints change? The referee's decision was final.
Even the players surrounding the referee couldn't make him waver.
Bale, who had just gotten up from the ground, was instantly surrounded and embraced by his teammates, celebrating what could very well be the decisive penalty of the night.
Meanwhile, United's players crowded around the referee in fury — some insisting Bale had dived, others arguing that the red card was far too harsh.
But the referee stood firm, waving them away impatiently, signaling for them to retreat so the game could continue.
Marcus Rashford, unable to contain his anger, shouted at the referee and was immediately booked with a yellow card.
From the stands, Real Madrid fans cheered wildly, while United fans unleashed deafening boos — all directed at the referee.
But none of it mattered anymore.
The outcome was set:Manchester United were down to ten men — and facing a penalty kick.
(End of Chapter)
🔥 Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
⏰ Hurry up! The promotion ends on January 2, 2026.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10