Chapter 616: SIU!
In the intense back-and-forth game, time flew by quickly, and it was already the 45th minute. The score was tied 1-1, with Spain equalizing in the 23rd minute through a goal by Diego Costa. Neither team had scored a second goal since then.
However, those watching the game live would not be too surprised. This doesn't mean that the two teams performed poorly; on the contrary, both Portugal and Spain played very well.
As the first half neared its end, Spain had twelve shots and one goal, with several other good scoring opportunities that were thwarted by Portugal's defense.
The closest call came in the 25th minute when Isco's shot from the left side of the penalty area hit the frame of the goal and bounced out, with Alba's follow-up shot being ruled offside.
As for Portugal, looking only at the score and Spain's shot data might suggest they were playing defensively, but in fact, Portugal was holding their own against the powerful Spain. They had already taken six shots, four of which were on target, and they had scored a goal. In terms of attacking efficiency, Portugal was doing better than Spain, at least according to the stats.
...
The sideline staff raised the electronic board indicating two minutes of stoppage time for the first half. This displeased Santos, as Spain was pressing hard on Portugal's goal, and Santos was worried about conceding a late goal in the half.
Isco had the ball in the front, with William Carvalho defending him. Isco pulled the ball with his left foot, leaning his body to the left as if to break through, drawing Carvalho's defense. Suddenly, Isco accelerated in the opposite direction. As he was about to cut inside, Carvalho, in desperation, pushed Isco.
Carvalho didn't expect this small push to stop Isco, as the little player from Real Madrid was quick and hard to knock down due to his low center of gravity. Carvalho's push was meant to disrupt Isco's pace, hoping to make him stumble. Surprisingly, Isco went down immediately.
"Smart move!" praised the Spanish commentator, explaining to the audience why Isco didn't continue his run. "It's late in the first half, and Isco's stamina is at its limit. Although he can still sprint, he can't guarantee a continued breakthrough. Getting a free kick in this position is more threatening."
...
Carvalho realized why Isco had gone down and was upset. This position for a free kick was dangerous. He spread his arms wide, showing a very aggrieved expression, trying to indicate to the referee that he did nothing and that Isco had dived.
Portuguese veteran Pepe also rushed over, shouting at his club teammate Isco, "Diving! I spit!"
Naturally, the Spanish players wouldn't stand by and let Isco take the blame; they surrounded him as well, and the players from both teams started pushing and shoving each other.
The referee's whistle blew sharply, and both sides backed off. They didn't want to escalate the situation.
On the sidelines, Hierro told his assistant, "This is a good position; Isco has a chance to score directly."
On the other side, Santos, with a serious expression, told his assistant, "A free kick from this position is very dangerous. Isco has scored directly from similar positions in La Liga this season."
"Just hold on for one more minute," the Portuguese assistant coach reassured Santos.
Santos adjusted his tie, deep in thought.
At that moment, there was a loud "bang," startling Santos. He instinctively turned to see Pepe, who had bravely blocked Diego Costa's shot with his chest, and Fonte had cleared the ball upfield.
...
"Crossbar! Again, the crossbar! Oh my!" The commentator's voice echoed through the TV broadcast, "Isco's free kick went over the wall, and the goalkeeper was helpless, but the crossbar saved Portugal. This is Isco's second time hitting the frame in this half..."
In the broadcast, Isco was seen holding his head in disbelief.
The other Spanish players were also stunned. Two shots hitting the frame in one half, both by the same player—unbelievable.
"Get back!" screamed Spanish goalkeeper De Gea in a panic.
Fonte's desperate clearance turned into a perfect pass. Moutinho controlled the ball with his chest and launched a long pass.
At that moment, Guedes, Bernardo Silva, Bruno, and Ronaldo were sprinting towards the Spanish goal like arrows.
In Spain's defense, only center-backs Ramos and Pique, along with defensive midfielder Busquets, remained. Alba was rushing to intercept in midfield.
Portugal had Guedes, Bernardo Silva, Bruno, and Ronaldo attacking—a four-on-four situation.
Bruno controlled the ball with his chest, nudged it forward, and just as he approached Alba, he poked the ball past him and sidestepped to the other side.
"He's beaten his man!"
...
Alba lunged but couldn't stop in time. Realizing he couldn't let Bruno through, he grabbed Bruno's shirt.
A tactical foul!
Referee Rocchi was ready to blow the whistle, but seeing Bruno continue to control the ball despite the tug, he signaled to play on.
Bernardo Silva received the ball and sprinted forward.
"Stop him!" shouted Pique, and Busquets moved to intercept.
Pique also moved forward, ready to cover Busquets.
Just as Busquets approached, Silva passed the ball—not to the nearby Ronaldo but diagonally to Bruno on the right.
Having freed himself from Alba's pull, Bruno ran forward to receive Silva's pass.
Seeing Bruno with the ball, Pique shouted to Ramos in the box, signaling him to cover, and rushed at Bruno himself.
Bruno cut inside, and as he neared the edge of the box, he swung his right foot as if to shoot.
Pique couldn't afford to take chances, even if he thought it might be a feint. He moved to block the shot.
It was a feint. Bruno pulled the ball back and passed it instead.
...
Ronaldo received the ball.
Ramos immediately pressured the Portuguese captain, trying to block his shot.
But Ronaldo didn't shoot. Instead, he passed the ball diagonally.
Bernardo Silva appeared in the middle, seemingly ready to receive the pass but let it go, allowing it to roll past him.
"A dummy!"
"He's through!"
While Portugal attacked, Spain's defense focused on Bruno and the three other attackers, not noticing Guerreiro's overlapping run on the left.
Guerreiro, unmarked, caught up to the ball and cut into the box.
Ramos, in a panic, left Ronaldo to intercept Guerreiro.
The Dortmund left-back didn't give Ramos a chance to get close. He swept the ball across the goal.
Silva arrived in the middle, aiming at the goal, and chipped it.
De Gea dived and managed to touch the ball, deflecting it upward.
Before Spanish fans could cheer, a figure leapt high and headed the ball into the net.
...
"A header! It's in! Cristiano! The Portuguese captain scores again; he's got a brace! Just before the first half ends, Cristiano Ronaldo makes it 2-1 for Portugal!" The Portuguese commentator shouted excitedly, "2-1! Portugal takes the lead again!"
The Fisht Olympic Stadium erupted like a volcano. Over 10,000 Portuguese fans jumped to their feet, raising their arms and shouting in unison.
Ronaldo and the ball both ended up in the net. He struggled to get up in his excitement, rolling and crawling before finally standing.
Then, the Portuguese captain ran, too thrilled to stop. He dodged Silva and Bruno, sprinting to the stands and performing his signature celebration—leaping, spinning in mid-air, and landing with his arms outstretched, roaring to the sky.
"SIU!"
He was then swarmed by his equally ecstatic teammates.
(END 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 10, 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