The Suns marched on triumphantly, their momentum unstoppable, sitting just one step away from the championship.
Meanwhile, the situation for the United States Team was far more bleak.
June 17, local time in Germany, 9:00 PM. Fritz Walter Stadium.
The stadium, capable of holding forty-eight thousand spectators, had transformed into a sea of blue. The soaring melody of Mameli's Song echoed throughout the entire arena. On the pitch, Gila sprinted wildly with his arms spread wide. He dropped into a double-knee slide and, a second later, was buried underneath a pile of ecstatic Italian players.
Pirlo had taken the free kick, lofting a diagonal cross into the penalty area. Gila executed a diving header right in front of the goal, deflecting the ball straight into the net.
1-0! Italy drew first blood and took the lead.
