The cheers from the crowd hadn't yet died down when the Italian team set the ball in motion for the restart. Their resolve was clear—they weren't about to let Elian's strike dampen their spirits.
Elian jogged back to his position, his chest heaving. That goal had taken everything out of him, and he could feel the strain in his legs. But the game was still on, and there was no room for rest.
Meta's voice echoed in his mind, its tone both analytical and teasing. "Great goal. You've earned yourself about two seconds of praise. Now get ready to run again, hero."
He didn't reply. Instead, he focused on the Italians' formation. They were shifting gears, pushing forward with a newfound aggression. La Rosa and Montolivo stayed high, waiting to exploit any gaps left by England's pressing midfield.
