Berlin, Olympic Stadium.
Seventy-five thousand fans roared with anticipation.
Germany had the home-field advantage, and their supporters filled most of the stands.
A wave of white-and-black German jerseys swept across the stadium, while Spain's vibrant crimson-red kits stood out vividly, painting a striking contrast.
Both sets of fans were fired up, the atmosphere electric as the match approached kickoff.
ESPN commentator Derek Rae spoke excitedly, "The players are entering the locker rooms—the game is about to begin!"
"The starting lineup we've received for Spain features Su Hang and Villa as the two strikers."
"García will play as the attacking midfielder."
"The midfield trio consists of Xavi, Alonso, and Fàbregas."
"We can note that Senna is not starting today. He was injured by Tevez's tackle in the previous match, which has somewhat weakened Spain's defensive midfield strength."
"The back four: Mariano, Puyol, Ibáñez, and Ramos. Ibáñez is clearly tasked with containing Germany's Klose."
"This player scored five goals in the previous World Cup, earning the Silver Boot—and all five were headers."
"In this tournament, Klose has already scored four goals, currently leading the scoring charts ahead of Ronaldo, Henry, Su Hang, Torres, Villa, Crespo, Rodríguez, and Podolski, each with three goals."
"Goalkeeper: Casillas."
"Now, for Germany's starting lineup:"
"Klose and Podolski up front;"
"Schweinsteiger, Frings, Ballack, and Schneider in midfield;"
"Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, and Friedrich in defense;"
"and Lehmann in goal."
"Now the camera pans to the stands, and that slender young man you see is none other than Croatia's international Luka Modrić—who's been at the center of heated transfer rumors in recent days."
"He's wearing Spain's number 23 jersey—that's Su Hang's shirt. Looks like the two share a good relationship."
"Rumors have been circulating that Su Hang wants Real Madrid to sign Modrić, but Real Madrid officially denied this earlier."
"The head of Real Madrid's sports department stated they won't sign any players outside their transfer plan during this window—Modrić clearly isn't part of that plan."
"Reports say Modrić's home club has cut his contract offer in half and even threatened him—if he refuses now, the next offer will be worse."
"Dinamo Zagreb's management declared that the club will not be held hostage by a single player!"
"Many might not understand why Modrić's renewal talks have become so tense. It's because the new contract is a ten-year deal—essentially a binding agreement."
"In smaller leagues, such long-term contracts are usually given to promising or core players as a form of recognition."
"But if your goal is to move to Europe's top five leagues, such a deal becomes pure poison."
In truth, the reason Modrić's renewal has drawn so much public attention is because of his humble background.
He resonates with ordinary people.
That makes it easy for fans to empathize with his situation.
Of course, while some relate to the player, others—self-styled "spiritual shareholders"—identify more with the club and its business interests.
Online, the critics of Modrić actually outnumber his defenders.
"Without the club's investment, would Modrić even exist today? What an ungrateful brat!"
"Developing young talents is part of a club's job. Without Modrić, there'd just be another Modrić. Talking about gratitude with capital—what a joke."
"Exactly! If Real Madrid were to buy Modrić, they'd pay far more than Dinamo Zagreb ever spent developing him."
"Come on—Modrić made his breakthrough while on loan. That was all his own skill and luck, not his parent club!"
"Anyone who's played knows how hard that is. Most loaned players only get worse. True elites rise within their home team."
"Yeah right, Real Madrid never planned to buy Modrić. Look at their past signings: Figo, Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham... Modrić doesn't fit that list! No wonder your transfer's stalled!"
"Modrić's just using Real Madrid to pressure his club for a bigger paycheck! Pathetic move!"
"Exactly! Rumor has it he's demanding the team's top salary, yet he hasn't even played a single match for Dinamo Zagreb! Does he deserve it?"
...
Amid the debate, both teams entered the pitch.
With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.
By the third minute, Su Hang—the player Spanish fans had pinned their hopes on—was already feeling the full pressure of the German war machine.
When a cross came his way, he couldn't even contest the header!
Just last match, he had soared above Mascherano to score a beautiful header—
but this time...
Metzelder: "I'm 1.93 meters."
Mertesacker: "I'm 1.98 meters."
Mascherano: "I'm 1.74 meters."
Su Hang: "Oh... that explains it."
Of course, such height comes with slower turning speed.
And that's exactly the kind of weakness Spain knows how to exploit—
after all, they have plenty of players skilled in dribbling and tight control.
In the seventh minute, after a smart setup from Su Hang, "El Mago" García cut in from the flank and went down inside the box.
But instead of a penalty, the referee warned him for diving.
He made it clear that another attempt would earn him a card.
Well... García had faked it.
That took a bit of wind out of Spain's sails.
In the ninth minute, Bayern's Schweinsteiger sent in a cross from the left.
Klose's volley was blocked twice in quick succession by Ibáñez and Puyol—nearly resulting in an own goal.
Puyol's second block was crucial.
The Barcelona captain continued to impress for the national team, standing firm as Spain's defensive anchor.
As long as his opponent wasn't Su Hang, he could contain anyone.
In the eleventh minute, Villa picked up a pass from Su Hang just outside the box and unleashed a thunderous long-range strike, but Lehmann parried it away.
Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper had been in stellar form—after all, he'd overtaken Oliver Kahn as Germany's number one.
His only disastrous outing in recent years came in the second leg of this season's Champions League semifinal,
when Su Hang and Figo tore him apart.
Then, in the 13th minute, came the play that changed the game.
Bayern's "Twin Stars," Lahm and Schweinsteiger, combined beautifully down the left flank, showcasing Germany's golden attacking corridor.
Lahm whipped in a dangerous cross.
Ramos, stationed at the near post, tried to flick it clear with a header—
but under Klose's pressure, he misjudged it.
The ball arced in a perfect rainbow shape before dipping into the far corner of the net.
1–0!
Germany took the lead!
Spain's right-back Sergio Ramos had just scored an own goal—
beating his own keeper.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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