Chapter 901: Defending the European Championship
On the sidelines, Roberto Mancini kept shouting instructions, urging the Italian players to summon their courage and fight to the very end.
The Italian players had not given up, but it was clear they were disorganized and unable to mount any effective attack.
On the Portuguese side, Fernando Santos was also constantly making substitutions. Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced by André Silva; Bruno Fernandes was substituted by João Moutinho; João Cancelo came off for Nélson Semedo.
Seeing that Italy's performance had not fundamentally improved, Mancini began to adjust as well. Domenico Berardi replaced veteran Ciro Immobile, Bryan Cristante came on for Nicolò Barella, Manuel Locatelli replaced Marco Verratti, Andrea Belotti came in for Lorenzo Insigne. Mancini used all five substitutions, sending in every available attacking player.
However, the situation on the field didn't change much.
When the clock hit the 90th minute, the score was still 3–1, with Portugal leading by two goals.
After three minutes of injury time, João Moutinho's powerful shot deflected off Jorginho and went out of bounds.
Referee Björn Kuipers did not award Portugal a corner kick and instead blew his whistle for full time.
In that instant, the New Wembley Stadium erupted with the cheers and ecstatic shouts of Portuguese fans.
...
As soon as Kuipers blew the final whistle, the Portuguese players and staff rushed onto the field, celebrating wildly and shouting in triumph.
In the stands, Portuguese fans were elated, their roars echoing throughout the entire New Wembley Stadium.
Even the usually calm and collected Santos lost his composure. Excitement overwhelmed him as he waved his arms fervently on the sidelines, releasing all his emotions.
As for the Portuguese players on the pitch, their faces were filled with unrestrained joy, pride, and glory. They all knew that from this night on, they would be remembered as legends of Portugal, of European football, and even of world football!
From now on, each of them would be inscribed in football history!
...
"The match is over! The match is over! The match is over! Congratulations to Portugal! They have defeated Italy 3–1 at the New Wembley Stadium and successfully defended their European Championship title!"
"Portugal had already won the 2016 European Championship and the 2018 World Cup. Now, they lift the 2020 European Championship trophy again, achieving a historic treble in major international tournaments!" He Wei exclaimed excitedly, "After Uruguay, Italy, Brazil, Germany, France, and Spain, world football has now witnessed the birth of the seventh dynasty team — the Portuguese Dynasty!"
"For the past five years, this Portugal side, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, has been invincible. Not only have they won the 2016 and 2020 European Championships, but they also claimed the 2018 World Cup, the 2017 Confederations Cup, and the inaugural 2019 Nations League title. They've swept every major international competition in the last five years! One could say this Portugal side's dominance has even surpassed that of previous dynasty teams!"
"This Portugal team not only has a master tactician in Santos, but also two players worthy of being called Kings of Football — the 36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and the 26-year-old Bruno Fernandes! Both superstars have achieved extraordinary success with their clubs and have led Portugal to the summit of world football!"
...
When the whistle blew, Bruno stood up from the bench, visibly emotional.
Before the final whistle, he thought he might lose control when the moment came. Yet, when it finally did, all his excitement and joy seemed to flow away like the receding tide.
What replaced it was a deep sense of relief.
Even though he'd already won the European Championship five years ago, facing a match of this magnitude, he could never truly be at ease.
The pressure on his shoulders had been immense.
He walked slowly toward Santos, opened his arms, and gave the Portuguese master coach a long, firm hug.
From now on, Santos would be remembered forever in history for leading Portugal to three consecutive international titles.
Santos was equally moved. He hugged Bruno tightly and then patted his shoulder, smiling as he looked out at the field where the Portuguese players were still celebrating hysterically.
"We worked all summer, maybe even all our lives, for this night."
...
While the Portuguese were celebrating wildly, the Italian players looked completely deflated.
Seeing Portugal's jubilant celebrations, they walked off the field, heavy-hearted.
Bruno stepped forward, reaching out a hand from a distance. Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Jorginho — he shook hands with each one, though none of them spoke.
At this moment, any words would have been superfluous.
The victors had no need to boast, and the defeated required no consolation.
Simply reaching the European Championship final had already proven their strength.
Having played four years in Italy, Bruno knew most of the Azzurri's players well and had built friendships with several of them.
On the field, they were rivals, each fighting desperately to win. But after the final whistle, none of that affected their camaraderie.
After seeing the Italian players off, Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the team surrounded Bruno excitedly. Then, together, they charged toward Santos, finally lifting their head coach high into the air.
This had already become a traditional part of their victory celebration.
...
"In this match, Bruno has once again proven his value!"
In the post-match mixed zone, Portugal coach Fernando Santos faced questions from journalists around the world. His suit was wrinkled, and his tie was skewed — clear evidence of his wild celebration minutes earlier.
"Although Bruno didn't score tonight, he was still outstanding. Especially in the goal that gave us the lead — his decision-making stunned me. As the Chinese say, that's the demeanor of a true general. Only someone who truly controls the game could think of doing that at such a crucial moment."
"In my eyes, he's the best player. Even if we hadn't won tonight, he would still be the best in the world. Over the past year, whether for Manchester United or Portugal, his performances in goals and assists have been absolutely world class."
"He's a player with virtually no weaknesses. Imagine someone who combines the qualities of an elite goal scorer and an elite creator. He's so complete that opponents can hardly find a way to stop him."
Santos couldn't stop praising his star pupil. The reporters busily took notes, and live TV cameras stayed locked on the mixed zone, still broadcasting live to the world.
...
A few questions later, a sharp-eyed reporter noticed Bruno walking nearby, greeting fans and thanking them for their support.
As soon as the reporters saw him, they shouted loudly:
"Hey Bruno, can you answer a few questions for us?"
"Bruno, come here!"
"Oh my God, Bruno, please! We need your interview, or we can't go back to the office!"
The press area erupted with excitement, and Bruno turned toward the sound.
Santos, fully aware that Bruno was the real center of attention, smiled and gestured for him to come over.
Bruno grinned as he approached, immediately causing chaos in the mixed zone. Reporters from all directions rushed toward him, cameras flashing continuously.
Soon, the reporters organized themselves, and Bruno first spoke with Lusa News, Portugal's national agency.
Lusa's question: "How do you feel right now?"
"Of course, I'm very happy." Bruno replied with a smile. "I think I'm the happiest person in the world right now. For me, this isn't just any game — it carries a much deeper meaning."
"I'm proud and honored — not only for myself, my family, and friends, but also for my country."
Then a reporter from The Times asked him to evaluate Portugal's performance tonight.
Bruno responded that the team's victory was fully deserved.
"We were extraordinarily united. Everyone worked toward the same goal. Throughout this tournament, we showed tremendous strength and beat every opponent. We deserved this title and this European Championship honor."
But Bruno also made it clear that the credit did not belong to him alone.
"This victory belongs to everyone. We are a great and successful team. Around me are brilliant and hardworking teammates. We were united in heart and effort, playing as one. In the end, we fulfilled everyone's expectations and defeated all our opponents to win the title. Winning in this way is unforgettable for life, and that, I believe, is the true meaning of football."
(END CHAPTER)
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