The roar of the crowd was deafening as the ball hit the back of the net. England led 1-0. Elian's pinpoint assist to David was nothing short of perfection, but there was no time to savor the moment. As the Italian players trudged back to the center circle, their expressions were a mix of frustration and determination.
Elian jogged back to his position, his chest heaving as the effects of Skill Boost began to wear off. The faint blue aura surrounding him had dimmed, but the fire in his eyes remained.
"Nice vision there, Elian. But don't relax just yet," Meta's calm voice resonated in his mind. "The Italians won't take this lying down. Expect a counter-response."
Elian wiped sweat from his forehead, nodding slightly to himself. "I know. They'll press harder."
