The village square was alive with excitement as the World Cup match between Germany and Argentina began. The crowd gathered around makeshift screens, their eyes glued to the action on the field. The first half of the game was tense and intense, with both teams playing defensively. As the halftime whistle blew, the score remained 0-0.
The buzz during the break was electric. "Argentina's got this," one man declared confidently. "I'm betting on a 1-0 victory."
"No way, it's going to be 2-0," another argued. "They have the best striker in the world!"
"I think it'll be 2-1," someone else chimed in. "Maybe even 3-0 if they keep up the pressure."
Amid the chatter, Tony's henchman swaggered over with a group of thugs. They spotted Chance and Daniel and immediately made their way over, sneers plastered on their faces. "Well, well, if it isn't the losers," the henchman taunted. "Not only are you terrible at gambling, but you also can't keep your women. Heard your ex, Kelly, is pregnant. Funny how she couldn't get pregnant in three years with you but managed it in three months with Tony. Maybe you're just not man enough, huh?"
The thugs laughed, enjoying their mockery. Chance's fists clenched at his sides, his anger simmering. He vowed to win this bet, reclaim the lost money, and challenge Scarface Jack again. His mind raced as flashes of memories, almost like snippets of a past life, surged forward. It was as if he could hear a news report playing on a loop in his mind: "Bet on Germany: Argentina 1-0."
The second half of the match began, and the tension in the air grew thicker with each passing minute. The crowd was split, with some cheering for Argentina and others holding their breath for Germany. Every pass, every shot on goal was met with gasps and cheers.
Germany and Argentina battled fiercely, but it was Germany who finally broke through Argentina's defense. In the 75th minute, a German striker found the back of the net, sending the ball past the Argentinian goalkeeper. The crowd erupted in mixed reactions—cheers from those who bet on Germany, groans from the Argentina supporters.
Chance's heart pounded in his chest, the memory of the news report echoing in his mind. The next few minutes felt like an eternity. He watched every move, every pass, and every play with bated breath. His mind raced, calculating the odds, praying for the outcome he needed.
Argentina pressed hard, desperately trying to equalize. The tension was unbearable. A shot on goal was deflected by the German goalkeeper, and the crowd collectively held their breath. Another attempt was thwarted by a defender, and the seconds ticked away.
Chance's pulse quickened. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The German defense was solid, and every counterattack by Argentina was met with fierce resistance. Time was running out, and the pressure was mounting.
In the final moments of the game, Argentina made one last push. The ball soared through the air, heading straight for the goal. The German goalkeeper leaped, his fingers just grazing the ball, sending it off course. The whistle blew, signaling the end of the match.
Germany had won, 1-0.
The crowd erupted in a cacophony of cheers and groans. Chance and Daniel stood frozen for a moment, the realization sinking in. They had won. The prediction had been right.
"We did it!" Daniel exclaimed, his face lighting up with a smile.
Chance felt a surge of triumph and relief. "This is just the beginning, Daniel. We're going to turn things around."
As they collected their winnings, the weight of their earlier loss began to lift.