Chapter 685 - 9: White-Hot Battle and the Elite Eight Parade! Barrage After Barrage! Turmoil Rises Again! Two Free-Spirited Madmen!

"Beep! Beep—!"

Unexpectedly, after the conflict between the two teams ended and the ball was kicked off again, the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the half, allowing the players to return to the locker room to cool down, as there was little time left.

Ma’el simply turned and walked towards the locker room, clearly unhappy.

Deschamps intercepted the team doctor halfway, inquiring about the situation, "How is it? Is it serious?"

"It’s a hard knock." The team doctor shook his head, hesitated for a moment, then added, "But we’ve already advanced as group leaders, I recommend resting and recuperating, avoiding the risk of Sweden’s desperate actions."

"We’re still leading; in the second half, focus on defense, we can achieve 3 wins in 3 matches."

Deschamps nodded slightly, regretting somewhat sending out the full main forward lineup in this match, which was really unnecessary.

Fortunately Ma’el wasn’t injured, if he were, the loss would be significant.

He called Menez and Matuidi over, preparing to substitute Ma’el and Nasri, leaving one substitution spot in case of injuries to others.

"Beep!"

After the second half began, Ma’el sat somewhat despondently on the bench, watching his teammates continue the match.

Having played in the European Cup until now, he knows he can only bury his anger for now, ready to unleash it in future matches.

Soccer as a sport almost divides most of the spotlight among the forwards, but secretly prices these gifts.

When facing malicious fouls from defenders, they’re quite powerless, and the more important the match, the more powerless they feel... because in such games, you can’t retaliate impulsively.

Compared to missing a match and waiting another 4 years, especially missing it in the most foolish way, you must choose to remain rational.

Even if you want to retaliate with goals and assists, it’s not possible every time.

Who knows which will come first, a goal or an accident? The crucial period is really not the time for injuries, especially when you understand you’re an important member of the team, and without you, they won’t go far.

Look up and forward, lead the team to continue winning, continue moving forward!

Victory and the joy of moving upwards will dilute everything, when truly reaching the finish line, he can stand at the highest point and release it all with a roar, feeling an unprecedented pleasure.

By then, these small waves are mere seasonings to add to his happiness.

"During this period, Sweden has started a fierce attack, seemingly aware that Ma’el and Nasri are off, the threat from France’s forward line has decreased several notches!"

"Indeed, we’ve seen Benzema look bitter more than once, he’s not receiving the support he got in the first half, nor seeing hope of scoring again!"

"Eevee’s side shot! Oh... just a bit off! Seems they’re getting close to a goal!"

"....."

"As the match crosses the 60-minute mark, France’s situation becomes increasingly difficult, Sweden has a ’seize the opportunity while you’re down’ momentum!"

"Once a team loses its position, it’s indeed difficult to reclaim, especially on a European Cup stage!"

"Sebastian crosses! Eevee shoots...!! World-class shot!! Sweden scores! One to one tie!"

"They see hope of advancing, while on the other side, England still leads Ukraine one to zero!"

"....."

"In the 84th minute, Sweden changes players, sending all forwards onto the field, they’re going for broke!"

"....."

"Sebastian crosses again! Midfield position! Amidst the chaos... ah...! Goal in! Sweden clinches victory in the last moments, securing their hope of advancing!"

"The camera focuses on Meks, is this an own goal from France’s central defender?!"

"It seems so! The replay shows his outer foot touched the ball into the near corner! This is truly an unfortunate own goal!"

"....."

On the field, Sebastian and the Swedish players immediately rushed to the sideline to celebrate, but midway through, they were hastily stopped by coach Hamren.

"Not enough!"

Hamren roared with a dark complexion, anxiously waving, "Quickly take the ball back! It’s not enough! Still short of 1 goal!"

Sweden’s players were momentarily stunned, nobody had informed them of the new score, England still one to zero, both teams had the same victories and goal differences.

Why isn’t it enough?

Is it possible the problem lies in the fourth rule of the tie-breaker, fair play points fewer than England?

More red and yellow cards?

Many immediately realized, rushing to retrieve the ball from the goal, but were blocked by Goalkeeper Lori, Eevee pushed Lori in the process, sparking another round of conflict between both sides.

Ma’el frowned as he watched the situation unfold on the field, suddenly noticing Benzema walking towards Meks with hands spread, seemingly accusing him.

Meks already looked defeated, now sitting on the ground with his head bowed, almost crying.

"Hey! Hey!"

He immediately felt more agitated, couldn’t help but shout angrily, "Benzema? What are you doing?! The external threat isn’t resolved, you’re already preparing for internal conflict? Anyone can make a mistake, own goals are nothing!"

Originally, the first two matches went well, advancing as group leaders, amicably drinking celebratory drinks, and calling each other brothers.

Why, encountering failure, do they suddenly go to this state? Is this the old tradition of internal conflict?

As captain, Ma’el can’t let his team become like this, and naturally would stop such behavior.

Benzema may be a Real Madrid star to others, but to him now, he’s really not considered a big deal.

He cannot tolerate Benzema bullying teammates and throwing tantrums among his own during times needing solidarity!