Lukas was at the center of it.
Not always the one making the final action, but always involved. Always connecting. He drifted between the lines, receiving, releasing, pulling defenders out of position. And just as de la Fuente had instructed, Fabián Ruiz was right there with him—tight, relentless, following him everywhere.
But now, Germany were finding ways around it.
48th minute.
Kimmich had the ball on the right side of midfield, his head already up as he scanned the pitch. Without hesitation, he struck a long diagonal switch, the ball arcing high across the field toward the far touchline.
"Great switch," Matthäus said.
Wirtz was waiting.
He adjusted his body, cushioned the ball with his chest near the sideline, and brought it down cleanly in one motion. As he steadied himself, he glanced inside.
Lukas was there.
But so was Fabián Ruiz—tight to him, almost attached.
Wirtz didn't overcomplicate it. He played a short pass into Lukas's feet.
