Lucas Tanaka's goal set Wembley alight. The stands shook with the roar of Brighton's fans, while Bayern Munich wasted no ti putting the ball back at the center of the pitch.
But no one on the German team seed shaken.
Nishida got up from the pitch with a calculated smile. His eyes t Lucas's briefly, and without a word, he conveyed a clear ssage with that sharp gaze.
'We're not done yet.'
The ga restarted, and Bayern imdiately took possession. Nishida received the ball on the first touch. Felix and Javier rushed in to press him, but sothing felt off. Nishida didn't hesitate, nor did he seem the least bit troubled by the pressure.
That's when the nightmare began.
With a light touch, he slipped past Felix and accelerated with frightening speed. Javier lunged to intercept, but Nishida slipped the ball between his legs with effortless ease.
It was an absurd sight.
"What is this?! Nishida is single-handedly tearing through Brighton's midfield!" the comntator exclaid, as the analysts struggled to make sense of what they were witnessing.
Sensing imminent danger, defenders Luiz Fernando and Daniel Riber quickly retreated. In goal, Anton was already shouting instructions, but Nishida didn't seem to care.
Lucas sprinted toward his friend and rival. He knew Nishida better than anyone on the pitch. If he didn't stop this monster, who would?
Nishida smirked. "Co on, Tanaka."
Lucas closed in, blocking any possible breakthrough. But Nishida had already planned his next move. He feinted right, and just as Lucas reacted, he spun in the opposite direction with flawless precision.
Lucas barely had ti to process what had happened. Nishida was never known for his dribbling. What had he done over the past few months to evolve this much?
Like a ghost, Nishida slipped past him and now faced Brighton's two defenders.
Ti seed to slow down.
Daniel Riber stepped up, trying to block any shot, but Nishida took a subtle touch forward, evading him with ease.
Luiz Fernando, in desperation, lunged for the ball.
But Nishida had already finished.
With a powerful left-footed strike, the ball rocketed through the air like a missile and slamd into the back of the net.
Goal.
Bayern Munich's equalizer, just monts after Brighton's breakthrough.
The German fans erupted, while Nishida simply turned and walked back to midfield, fixing Lucas with that sa enigmatic smile.
"We're even now, aren't we, Tanaka?"
Nishida's goal was a gut punch. Monts ago, Wembley had been filled with Brighton's triumphant cheers. Now, it roared with the celebration of the German supporters.
On the Brighton bench, a heavy silence settled. Eddie crossed his arms, frowning. He glanced at Jinez, who, despite his calm expression, couldn't completely hide his frustration.
"That kid's a monster..." Alex muttered, shaking his head.
"Nishida?" Kader asked, drumming his fingers against the clipboard he was holding. "That's no surprise. But the way he tore through our midfield… it was like he knew exactly how each player would react."
Jinez finally broke the silence. "Our biggest problem now is that Bayern will use this goal as a springboard to press even harder. They know Nishida can tear us apart if we don't take action."
Eddie nodded. "Felix and Javier need more support in the middle. Maybe Loki pushing up so high is leaving too many gaps."
Alex flipped through his notes. "But if we sit too deep, they'll pin us back and turn this into a massacre."
Jinez ran a hand through his hair. "Right. Let's stay calm. Let's see how the team reacts before making any changes."
On the pitch, Lucas stood in the center circle, hands on his hips. He watched as Nishida strolled back to his side of the field, as if this were just a casual sumr friendly.
"Now we're even, right, Tanaka?" Nishida repeated.
Arthur walked up beside Lucas and muttered, "Are you sure this guy's your friend? Because he looks like he's having way too much fun destroying us."
Lucas let out a dry chuckle. "That's just how he is. Always has been."
Daniel Riber kicked the turf in frustration. "Damn it, I should've blocked that shot..."
Luiz Fernando placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. This guy is on another level."
The ga resud, and tension spread through the Brighton squad. They knew Bayern would push to capitalize on their montum.
Felix, who had been left behind in Nishida's buildup to the goal, clenched his fists and took a more aggressive stance. He locked eyes with Lucas and gave a firm nod. "I won't let him get past again."
Lucas understood how everyone felt. This was more than just a match—it was proof that they belonged on this stage.
Loki received the ball on the right wing and surged forward with confidence. Brighton needed to respond quickly. He found Javier, who turned sharply and played a quick pass to Lucas.
Lucas controlled it and imdiately felt Nishida's presence closing in like a shadow. This ti, he was ready. He wouldn't wait for Nishida to make the first move.
With a swift touch, Lucas escaped the pressure and accelerated through the middle. Raphael and Miguel were already making their runs down the flanks, but Nishida was still on him, pressing.
This ti, Lucas shifted his body and flicked the ball through Nishida's legs with a backheel pass. Nishida spun quickly, but Lucas was already past him.
It was his turn to strike back.
He surged forward, searching for the perfect pass. He spotted Raphael in position and sent a precise ball to his feet.
Raphael raised his head, rembering his earlier mistake. Then he noticed Miguel arriving at the far post and decided to play it across.
Poor choice.
Bayern's defensive leader, Lars Lukas Mai, had read the play perfectly. He lunged into a sliding challenge, intercepting the pass. The ball deflected off his leg and bounced into the air before being cleared away by Angelo Stiller.
Bayern's counterattack was already in motion.
They played like a disciplined army — no room for error. Every misplaced pass, every poor decision, was punished rcilessly. And this ti was no different.
Nishida, who had dropped back into midfield, received Stiller's pass and, without hesitation, launched a first-ti ball to Jeong Woo-yeong on the left flank.
The South Korean winger burst forward like an arrow, pursued by Loki, who was desperately trying to keep up.
Lucas sprinted back, trying to cut off the play. Felix and Javier were also scrambling to get back. Brighton's defense was in disarray, still recovering from Raphael's mistake.
Daniel Riber shouted for Luiz Fernando to hold the defensive line, but there was no ti to reorganize.
Woo-yeong, still under pressure from Loki, spotted Nishida making a late run through the middle. He cut inside and sent a sharp pass his way.
Nishida controlled it instantly, raising his head to analyze the space.
With an effortless touch, he threaded the ball between Brighton's defenders, finding Oliver Batista ier at the edge of the box.
Anton rushed off his line, trying to close the angle.
Batista ier took one touch to set up his shot — and unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike.
The ball cannoned off the crossbar!
A brief mont of relief.
But only a mont.
Because the rebound fell straight to Nishida.
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