The moment his boot connected, a violent crack echoed across the pitch. The ball soared like a dragon.
Cutting through the rain, through the bodies, through the noise.
Donnarumma was still on the ground, and out of reach. However, the thought didn't occur once he was defeated.
He twisted desperately, throwing one arm upward—
But the ball was already past him, and there was nothing he could do about it. The ball skimmed past him before slamming against the net.
The net rippled as a silence engulfed Etihad for a brief moment.
For almost one full second, be it the players or the crowd, both were frozen almost as if someone had stopped time.
Then—
"GOOOOAL!"
The sound crashed over the stadium like a breaking dam.
However, Hiro stood frozen for half a heartbeat, his shooting leg still extended, staring at the net as though he could not believe it either.
Then it hit him.
He rushed to the sideline, his expression twisting, his heart hammering against his chest.
