Chapter 690 - 10: Classic Scene! A Pressure Battle With No Choice! Knockout Stage Officially Begins! Facing Italy!

"But everyone must hold their breath and keep moving forward... We still have every possibility, nothing can stop us! Go!"

"Go...!" A chorus of cheers echoed in the locker room, though the momentum was a bit less than usual.

After experiencing such upheaval, it’s unrealistic to say there hasn’t been any impact on the team.

This kind of impact can’t be diluted overnight, it can only be slowly changed through constant victories and progress!

"If the pressure is really too much, then take some of that free time to watch the European Cup."

Deschamps stepped forward, smiling: "Let’s not forget what a great arena we are in and what great glories we have the opportunity to create.

"Go!"

"Go...!"

The players of the France team packed their things and headed home, with more fatigue in their eyes compared to usual. Deschamps and Ma’el were especially affected, but their optimism overshadowed it.

...

On June 22nd, two days later, the first knockout match of the European Cup kicked off at the Poland Warsaw National Stadium.

Ronaldo led his Portugal team in this game against the Czech Republic team, aiming to create miracles.

Before the game, a piece of news made many football fans watching the European Cup feel proud.

"Officially surpassing the Olympics! European Cup viewership and revenue both surpassing the Olympics, second only to the World Cup!" — Spain Marca

The match began at 5:45 PM, and the next four round of 8 matches will all start at this time with the kickoff whistle.

"The first half of the match might end like this, neither side has made any breakthroughs!

"Portugal team still achieved a good advantage, they launched 13 shots but failed to break through the Czech Republic’s goal!

"....."

"Moutinho went past, passed to the far post!! Header!! The ball is in! Ronaldo’s header broke the deadlock for Portugal in the 79th minute of the match!!

"Ronaldo has been wondering throughout the match why luck has been so poor today? But this time, Moutinho’s pass found him! Beautiful header! It’s his 35th goal for the national team!

"17 shots, Portugal team finally reaped the rewards! If they hold this score until the end, they will be the first team to advance to the semi-finals of this European Cup!

"....."

"Alright, at this moment the referee from England, Weber, blew the whistle to end the game! Portugal team eliminated the Czech Republic team with Ronaldo’s goal!

"Next, they will face the winner between Spain and England in the semi-finals!!"

"....."

"Siu...!" Ronaldo faced the camera post-match, flexing his arms and roaring his signature celebration.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic’s No. 10 core Rosicky could only bid farewell to the Czech fans with sadness, heading to the VIP area of the stadium to join his Arsenal teammates post-match.

His journey ended, but he will, like Van Persie and others, continue to accompany the brothers still on this field.

The same time the next day, Germany’s match against Greece kicked off at Kyiv’s Liv Stadium.

"The rhythm of the confrontation between the two teams is very fast, maybe Germany didn’t anticipate that Greece would create such big trouble for them at the start!

"In this intensity, the emergence of opportunities could happen in an instant!

"....."

"Shot! The ball is in now! One to zero! In the 38th minute of the first half! Lam scores!

"Lam’s goal from this position is just like in the opening match of the 06 World Cup against Costa Rica! Directly into the far corner!

"....."

"The ball is still at Greece’s feet, cross! Shot! The ball is in now! Greece equalized with Samaras’s goal!

"....."

"Boateng passes! Khedira volleys! Two to one! Germany team regained its lead! Beautiful play!

"Chance from a set-piece, header! The ball is in again! Klose!! Scored his 64th goal for the national team!

"Another shot! Four to one! Germany’s Reus scored the game-sealing goal!

"The formidable Germany team didn’t give Greece any respite in the second half! They have the best players, a steely will, and the coach most suited to them, Löf!"

"....."

"Ultimately, in the second quarter-final of this European Cup, Germany triumphed over Greece and advanced to the semi-finals of this European Cup event!

"Their opponent will be the winner between Italy team and France team! It will undoubtedly be a battle of titans!"

After the end of this round of matches, Germany team grabbed the headlines alongside Benzema’s exclusive interview during his holiday in Spain.

"Have you calmed down after a few days? What is your opinion on Deschamps?"

"I indeed made a mistake on the field, for which I am very sorry, but I was calm after subbing off, exhibiting a willingness to communicate well with the team.

"But it’s clear, I wasn’t given any chance to communicate and was directly driven out of the team... So, instead of asking if I’m calm, you should ask if I’m baffled?

"Deschamps is a somewhat twisted person, a little too authoritarian, which sometimes isn’t a good thing. The players should have the right to communicate with the coach, not for authority to be misused.

"He is more suited to being the team captain, not the head coach, because he fails to maintain balance, needing someone to control him from going astray."

"....."

"After that, you also saw Ma’el’s comments, what do you think of him?"