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[10/11/2019, Stadion GOSiR, 18:44]
Tauer's forehead met the ball with a resounding thump, guiding it straight into the thick of the box. The American defenders scrambled, arms flailing, as they struggled to clear the danger. For a heartbeat, it seemed like the ball might slip through. But Mark McKenzie, using his towering frame, stretched out a leg and volleyed it away before it could drop at Moukoko's feet.
A collective groan rose from the German supporters, mingling with relieved cheers from the American side. Paul Gartner's voice echoed through the stadium speakers: "Close call for the U.S.! McKenzie saves them from a potential equalizer."
Jamie Oliver added calmly, "Tauer did everything right with that header. Germany's ramping up pressure here, and you sense they're desperate to claw their way back into this match before halftime."
The danger wasn't over though as Yunus Musah at the edge of the box outmuscled Niklas Tauer for the loose ball. He didn't hold onto the ball long as out of the corner of his eye he spotted a white figure sprinting up from the right flank. Not hesitating, he sent a lofted through ball up the right flank before any German player could interfere.
Timothy Weah and Noah Katterbach fought for pace as they raced up the field, but it quickly became obvious that the American had the faster legs. Noah tried to reach an arm out to interfere, but the American winger simply slapped it away as he turned on another gear. He quickly created space between them as he deftly knocked the ball forward, vaulting over a slide tackle from Kevin Ehlers.
Landing in the next moment, he latched onto the ball and latched onto the ball quickly gaining speed. His speed was blinding and by the time he crossed the final third Simon Asta was the only player in his way, but he couldn't fully commit as Matteo was also lurking to his side, waiting for his opportunity. Once they entered the box, he was forced to make a decision in this deadlock, and he chose to commit to a tackle.
Weah, who was fully focused on creating something out of this opportunity, instantly noticed when Asta committed and reacted in a flash. With his right foot, he flicked the ball outward, just out of the defender's reach, then nimbly side-stepped him in the next moment. The crowd gasped in unison as Weah deftly regained control of the ball, but the German Keeper Luca was already pouncing his way.
Luca had timed his moment to exactly when Asta forced his attacker to make a move, anticipating the likely direction he would dodge to based on Asta's positioning. Spreading his arms wide like he had practised many of times, he dove forward as he stretched his legs wide to block off any shooting angle. However, just as his hands were about to smother the ball at Weah's feet the winger's right foot lifted the ball across his body, sending it flying into the open space.
"Matteo Smith on the ball and he is wide open," Paul Gartner exclaimed, his voice tight with anticipation as the American striker took the ball on the volley. A dull thud was heard throughout the Stadion GOSiR as the leather of his boot sent the ball rifling into the open net.
A collective roar erupted from the American supporters, echoing across the stadium. The net rippled, and Matteo spun away, arms wide in celebration, as Weah barrelled into him with a triumphant bear hug. The rest of the U.S. players charged forward, their faces lit with a mix of glee and disbelief. It was their second goal of the night—coming right before the halftime break—and it felt like a gut punch to Germany's momentum.
Paul Gartner's voice was the first to break through the thunderous cheers. "Another strike for the United States! Timothy Weah with the setup and Matteo Smith finishes with an unstoppable volley!"
Jamie Oliver followed, still catching his breath. "Wow…just wow. Weah's footwork to dance past Asta and Luca was world-class, and Matteo was right there to snap up the chance. They took full advantage of that quick break."
In the German half, the reaction was immediate deflation. Armel Bella-Kotchap slammed a fist into his palm. Luca Unbehaun remained kneeling, momentarily shell-shocked that his dive came up empty. Rakim trudged back toward the halfway line, hands on his hips as he surveyed the scene in frustration. The entire German defence looked unsettled, eyes darting between each other as they tried to figure out how that counter had unspooled so quickly.
Nonetheless, they had little time to sulk. The referee signalled for the restart. Germany kicked off, pushing forward with hasty urgency, determined to make something happen before the whistle for halftime. Niklas Tauer dropped deep to collect the ball, passing briskly to Florian Wirtz, who tried to carve out a path through the midfield. But Weston McKennie swiftly closed him down with a crunching challenge that brought a booming cheer from the American fans.
With the midfield battle raging on, both sets of supporters were on their feet, anticipating one last spark before the break. Jamie Leweling forced a hurried pass up the right flank, hoping to find Simon who had overlapped but the ball skittered out of bounds. A sharp groan rippled through the German section of the crowd, while the U.S. fans clapped in relief.
Paul Gartner commented, "It looks like Germany is rattled. They're trying to claw something back, but the Americans are riding high on that second goal."
Jamie Oliver kept his tone level. "Exactly, Paul. Another American goal just before halftime is a huge blow to Germany's confidence. Let's see if they can regroup."
Before Germany could launch another push, the referee finally raised his whistle to his lips. The halftime whistle rang out, and the tension across the pitch deflated like a punctured balloon. Some of the players dropped their shoulders, while others hurried off the field, anxious to hear their coaches' adjustments.
Paul Gartner summed it up for everyone listening: "It's halftime here at Stadion GOSiR, and the U.S. leads 2–0. Matteo Smith's acrobatic opener set the tone, and his second finish from Weah's brilliant run has really put them in the driver's seat."
Jamie Oliver, voice warm with admiration, added, "Germany have had their moments, but right now, they've got a mountain to climb. Especially with their creative talisman going missing for most of the game after the initial moments of brilliance. That said, this is knockout football—anything can happen in the second half."
"We've got Matteo who needs Rakim, we've got Matteo who needs the dream, he scores with the right and flexes with left. Shall..." The American fans started spontaneously singing this song as they watched Rakim approach the tunnel. Upon hearing their chants, he subconsciously came to a stop, but before he could even form a thought on how to react, Wirtz slung an arm around his neck and dragged him forward.
"Don't mind them, focus on paying them back with a goal on the pitch," He whispered into his ear as they entered the tunnel together. "Don't worry I'm good, but we've got to step it up if we want to turn this around." He had just said that when a cup containing a red content impacted his chest, splashing what he could only assume as red dye or pig's blood all over the two.
Normally he would have clocked it before it could hit him, and he instantly locked onto the person who did after being hit. However, he had been too focused on Wirtz and thinking of what he could do in the second half to react. He didn't even realise what happened when he felt the figures that made up the German trainer team and players pull him back before he could climb the fence as they ushered him inside.
"Young man, go hit the showers and cool off, I will deal with what happened. What you need to do is focus on going back out there, and leave everything else to the Manshaft. You too, Florian, the team needs you to rise above and do your job, which is to create chances for victory." Coach Hanz Bauer, the old goalie and player development coach, said to Rakim as he cupped his head in both hands, forcing eye contact.
"Thanks, Coach," Rakim half whispered as he was pushed into the changing room. Ignoring all the stunned teammates who hadn't been there to see what had happened and now looked at his kit, face and hair that was now covered in red dye with wide eyes.
"Coach, we will need a new set of kit's, sorry for the trouble," Rakim said to the dumfounded Coach Baum who was just about to beckon them to sit down so he could rally them for a counterattack the likes of the 2014/15 Bayern München vs Porto quarterfinals where the German side decimated the portages giants in a 6:1 at home after losing 3:1.
"Don't worry about it coach, we got this," Wirtz commented with a spirited tone as if his blond hair wasn't hit with specks of red as he followed Rakim into the shower quarters.