"The Portuguese team is in trouble now. After losing their aerial focal point, they can no longer launch effective attacks."
"The midfields of both sides are evenly matched, but the Dutch players are more active defensively. That has made Portugal's ground combinations much harder."
"Now both sides are back on the same starting line, but the Dutch team clearly has the better momentum."
"Violante must make adjustments for Portugal. After Hugo Almeida went off injured, the team lost its front-line fulcrum. Portugal needs someone who can hold the ball in the attacking third."
The commentators' evaluation was very fair.
Inside the Portuguese locker room, head coach Agostinho Oliveira was also analyzing the problem of the team's attacking focal point.
In the end, he decided to take a risky approach.
As soon as the second half began, all the commentators were stunned.
"Oh! Portugal has made another substitution at halftime!"
"Miguel Veloso has come on to replace Raul Meireles. That means a defensive midfielder is replacing an attacking player."
"Cristiano Ronaldo has moved to the center forward position. He's not a natural striker, but he has played there once or twice for his club with decent results."
"Although he doesn't have Hugo Almeida's height or target-man ability, Ronaldo has stronger explosiveness and finishing ability. If Portugal focuses on quick attacks from behind, Ronaldo might still cause serious trouble for the Dutch defense."
"Hugo Viana has moved to the left wing. This will test the Dutch right-back, because Viana's technical style is completely different from Ronaldo's. The defender will have to quickly adjust his defensive approach."
"Raul Meireles has shifted deeper into midfield, while Miguel Veloso takes over the defensive midfield role."
"Overall, Portugal's defensive strength has improved."
"But offensively, although the lineup still looks decent and the personnel changes aren't drastic, several players are now playing unfamiliar roles. It's hard to say whether this adjustment will create new sparks."
49th Minute
Viana sent a diagonal pass from the wing.
Cristiano Ronaldo battled with John Heitinga, and the ball eventually rolled out over the end line.
55th Minute
Raul Meireles passed to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo received the ball with his back to goal, but while turning he was dispossessed by the defender.
His back-to-goal ability still clearly needed improvement.
62nd Minute
The Dutch team launched an attack.
Arjen Robben used his individual ability to win a throw-in near the sideline.
After the throw-in, Rafael van der Vaart passed the ball back to Wesley Sneijder.
Everyone expected Sneijder to switch play to the other side and try to break through on the ground.
Instead, Sneijder suddenly chipped the ball into the penalty area with a single touch.
This kind of lofted through pass requires extremely delicate technique.
Portugal's defensive line had already compressed toward their goal, leaving very little space between the defenders and goalkeeper.
If the pass was slightly longer, Bruno Vale would collect it easily.
If it was shorter, the center-backs would clear it.
But Sneijder threaded the ball perfectly into that awkward gap.
Robin van Persie immediately reacted and leapt for a diving header.
Fortunately, Portuguese center-back José Fonte stayed focused and reached the ball first, clearing it away while narrowly avoiding kicking Van Persie in the head.
Van Persie hesitated at the last moment and pulled back.
Otherwise he might have been the one to reach the ball first.
It wasn't that Van Persie lacked courage. Attempting a diving header already takes guts.
But many times, when you finally gather the courage to face danger, you realize you weren't fully prepared.
Because he was worried about injuring Van Persie, Fonte didn't clear the ball with full power.
The ball flew out of the penalty area, but not very far.
Sneijder—who had just made the pass—was waiting right there.
He struck the ball with a volley.
The ball screamed back toward the goal.
A world-class strike!
"GOAL! WESLEY SNEIJDER!"
"The Dutch midfield maestro has scored!"
"The Netherlands have officially taken the lead against Portugal!"
"They've finally gotten their revenge!"
"Sneijder has reclaimed everything that he, Van der Vaart, Robben, and Robin van Persie lost in the UEFA Youth League!"
"The Avengers don't need charity. They earn respect with their goals!"
"Kai! Are you ready to accept defeat?"
Dutch fans exploded with wild cheers.
This match had been incredibly frustrating for them.
Did you dare mock them as losers?
So what now?
Who's the loser?
In the stands, Anne Hathaway frowned.
At that moment she gained a deeper understanding of football.
This wasn't just a sport.
It was war.
A war that could not be lost.
And Kai's situation right now looked far from optimistic.
He might lose this battle.
The goal pushed Cristiano Ronaldo into a visibly anxious state.
65th Minute
Kai delivered a precise through pass.
But Ronaldo started his run too early and was caught offside.
The once-perfect chemistry between Sporting CP's twin stars was being disrupted by Ronaldo's impatience.
68th Minute
Van der Vaart earned a free kick in the attacking third.
The shot was excellent and smashed against the crossbar.
But Portuguese goalkeeper Bruno Vale reacted quickly and kept Portugal's hopes alive.
74th Minute
Van der Vaart, still shining on the field, took a corner kick.
Raul Meireles read his intention perfectly and cleared the ball with a header.
Attacks surged from both sides.
Neither team managed to seize full control.
Both sides had chances.
80th Minute
Viana dribbled down the wing, attracting defenders before switching the ball to Ricardo Quaresma on the opposite side.
Quaresma played a quick one-two with Kai on the right and burst toward the byline.
Portuguese fans instantly held their breath.
Then they erupted into cheers.
Quaresma flicked the ball past a defender with a dazzling move and drove into the penalty area.
Then he delivered a sharp low cross.
At that moment, the superstar's ability was on full display.
This chance was created entirely by Quaresma's individual brilliance.
The pass was so fast that the Dutch center-back, half a step behind, couldn't reach it.
Ronaldo managed to get near the ball.
But Heitinga dragged him down from behind.
Ronaldo missed the ball.
It was clearly a foul.
But Heitinga had stopped him.
He knew he was gambling on the referee not seeing it.
The ball rolled across the box.
Just as it seemed about to slip away—
Hugo Viana slid in from the side after cutting into the penalty area without the ball.
All he could see was the black-and-white ball.
The beautiful elf of football.
Boom!
Clang!
The ball smashed into the net.
But the next moment—
Viana crashed violently into the goalpost.
He had been hit from the side.
His entire body bent instantly like a snapped stick.
Nearby players heard a sickening crack.
"Team doctor! Quickly! Team doctor!"
Players from both sides immediately raised their hands and shouted toward the sideline.
The Portuguese team doctor rushed onto the pitch for the second time.
A stretcher was called again.
Viana had suffered a severe impact to his left hip and left kidney.
The initial diagnosis suggested a fracture, though an even worse injury couldn't be ruled out.
His condition looked even more dangerous than Almeida's earlier injury.
Viana was carried off the field.
Portugal had equalized the score.
But they had also lost the core of their midfield.
Tears streamed down Viana's face as he was taken away.
Partly because of the pain.
But also because he knew—
he would never return to this match.
His European Youth Championship journey was over.
He had sacrificed the rest of his tournament schedule to help Portugal catch up with the Netherlands.
If Portugal created a miracle tonight—
he would be one of its founders.
But the founders of miracles are rarely the ones who reap the glory.
At just 15 years old, Viana was destined to leave this stage with regrets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon!
There are 100+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
📢 Check out my new Naruto fanfic!
[One Piece: Pirate Chat Group]