Corner kick.
Reina lifted his foot and sent it straight toward the front of the goal.
The arc was good, and the landing spot was perfect. Amidst the chaos, McBride anticipated the ball's trajectory, leaped into the air, and prepared to head for the goal.
But in front of him, another man jumped even higher.
Nesta!
With a flick of his head, he cleared the ball.
On the bench, a frustrated Alina spun 180 degrees on the spot, his hands clutching his head.
"An iron wall," Andy Dunbar, beside Chen Yu, grimaced and sighed.
Chen Yu nodded in deep agreement.
The famed *catenaccio* was no joke.
The United States Team was young, full of energy, and could run. They'd ridden those strengths to two straight wins in the group stage, but against Italy's back line, they seemed to be in over their heads.
That simple corner kick was the most threatening attack they had managed in over sixty minutes of play so far.
