"If you've just tuned in, we are now in the 85th minute of this season's FA Cup final."
"The score is 1-1. If it stays this way, we're heading into extra time."
"This match can only be described as brutal. Both sides have fought each other to the very limit."
"Especially in the second half, the pace of transitions between attack and defense has been terrifying. This is the intensity of professional football."
"If ordinary people were out there, just these 45 minutes of the second half alone would push their hearts and lungs past the limit. They could collapse from exhaustion right on the pitch. I'm not exaggerating. That's how intense this game has been."
The broadcast cuts to a close-up of Leo Lin. The latest stats have just come in, showing he has covered the most distance of any player on the field.
"Nearly 90 minutes, and Leo Lin has run 12.9 kilometers!"
"You've got to be kidding me. This isn't just long-distance running!"
"He's made countless explosive sprints and recovery runs. That kind of movement drains far more energy."
"Henderson is second with 12.1 kilometers, De Bruyne with 11.7, and Fernandinho with 10.9. Both teams have pushed themselves to the absolute limit for this final!"
"They've emptied their ammunition. All they have left are bayonets, and even those are worn blunt. But they still keep swinging."
"Because the moment one side stops, they get cut down!"
90th minute.
"Leo Lin is still carrying the ball, holding off Fernandinho as he sends a long pass out to the right!"
"Arnold overlaps to collect it and whips in a cross. Firmino attacks it with a header!"
"Ederson tips it over the bar. Another outstanding save!"
92nd minute.
"Liverpool have a corner. Mané swings it to the near post. Ederson punches it clear. Kevin De Bruyne collects and switches play!"
"Beautiful. A sweeping diagonal to the right!"
"Raheem Sterling, one on one!"
"He drives past his man!"
"Moreno chases back and slides in. Excellent defending!"
"He was beaten at first, but Moreno didn't give up. He sprinted back, stayed tight to Sterling, then threw himself into a sliding tackle to knock the ball out of play and stop the attack!"
Sterling tries to take a quick throw-in into Liverpool's penalty area, but the referee blows for full time.
"The 90 minutes are over, and I can hardly believe what we've just witnessed."
"What an incredible 90 minutes."
"This final has already shown the highest level of modern football."
"We are going into extra time."
"Two halves, 15 minutes each."
"If either side scores in these 30 minutes, they could decide the match. If it remains level, we go to penalties."
Both teams' players head to the sidelines for quick treatment and recovery as extra time approaches.
Klopp looks at his players, all of them pushed to their limits, faces flushed with exhaustion. He smiles and shakes his head. There is nothing left to say tactically.
Leo Lin focuses on recovering, breathing deeply again and again. His teammates are doing the same.
Liverpool's two chief team doctors work on him from both sides, loosening his thigh muscles. He is the only one receiving treatment from both at once.
In the commentary booth.
Pelé watches Leo Lin on the screen, his face full of admiration.
"For an 18-year-old to last this long in a final like this and still perform at this level, that's incredibly rare."
"Ninety percent of top players couldn't manage this. Most distance covered, highest interception success rate."
"Under this kind of pressure, he still has an 89 percent pass completion rate. Short passes, long passes, all precise."
"The calmness in his passing reminds me of Pirlo, or Zidane."
Pelé is completely won over. Beside him, Gerrard's face shows nothing, but his slightly trembling hands reveal his nerves and excitement.
The fans watching the broadcast feel the same.
"I never imagined this FA Cup final would turn out like this. Liverpool and Manchester City players are burning themselves out for this trophy!"
"What more is there to say? This is football. This is football!"
"As a neutral, I can accept whoever wins. Both teams deserve it."
In the final minute before extra time, Klopp gathers his players.
"Look into your teammates' eyes."
"I have nothing more to say. Every one of you is a fighter, a real fighter. I'm proud of you."
"I have no tactics to add. Does anyone want to say something?"
There is a brief silence.
Then Leo Lin speaks, just one simple line.
"Let's go, boys. Keep fighting."
"Until the very end."
...
First half of extra time.
"Mané surges forward, reaches the byline, and sends in a cross!"
"Walker slides in and knocks it behind for a corner. Liverpool chance!"
"Mané takes it, aiming for the far post!"
"Cleared. Otamendi with a strong defensive header!"
"De Bruyne picks it up, turns. There's space!"
"Sterling is making a run!"
"Milner brings him down!"
"He pulls De Bruyne back and gets a yellow card. A smart tactical foul."
"Whistle!"
"Another whistle!"
Second half of extra time.
"Both sides are still pushing. Manchester City make another change. Yaya Touré comes on for Fernandinho."
Leo Lin is at his limit. His calves feel like they could cramp at any moment.
Just after the second half begins, he glances toward Klopp. One look is enough. Klopp understands he wants to come off.
Leo Lin is not trying to avoid responsibility. He knows he can no longer contribute effectively. Staying on would only hurt the team.
Fresh legs would be the better option.
Klopp is about to make the substitution when Lovren sends a long ball to Firmino.
Otamendi jumps from behind and leans into Firmino. The referee blows for a foul.
A free kick in a very dangerous position.
Liverpool fans freeze, staring at the spot. Just a step outside the arc, slightly left of center. A perfect shooting opportunity.
Klopp quickly holds back Lallana and speaks to the fourth official.
"Wait."
"Make the change at the next stoppage."
He then nods at Leo Lin.
Leo Lin exhales deeply.
All the Liverpool players gather around the ball, pushing away the Manchester City players trying to interfere. One by one, they step up and slap hands with Leo Lin.
At this moment, tens of millions of eyes around the world, the crushing weight of expectation, and the final hope of every Liverpool fan rest on this 18-year-old.
Derek Rae's voice trembles, hoarse with emotion.
"Leo Lin will take this free kick!"
"If he scores, he becomes Liverpool's hero!"
"His eyes are locked on the goal!"
"Filled with intent!"
"Full of ruthless determination!"
"He starts his run!"
"He strikes!"
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (65 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.