England's Greatest

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The tension in the Amazon Arena was palpable as Italy prepared for their corner kick. With a steady hand, Candreva approached the corner flag, ready to deliver what could be the opening goal for Italy.

However, the English defense had learned from their previous mistakes. They were more alert now, having suffered the consequences of a similar situation earlier in the match. The defenders adopted a man-to-man marking strategy in the penalty area, keeping a keen eye not only on the players but also on the potential for Italy's long-range shots outside the box.

"Tristan and Rooney stand firm outside the penalty area, keeping an eye on Pirlo and Marchisio," the commentator's voice rang out over the broadcast. The ball was already in motion.

Inside the penalty box, Italy still had an advantage in terms of height. Chiellini and Barzagli, both towering figures at over 1.85 meters, were joined by Paletta, who stood an impressive 1.9 meters tall. Meanwhile, England's tallest defender, Cahill, barely matched the Italians' height advantage.

Still, England had the upper hand in numbers. Cahill, flanked by two teammates, had managed to mark both Paletta and Balotelli, who had scored Italy's second goal. The challenge for Candreva was evident—his cross had to be precise to cut through the crowded penalty area.

But Candreva's cross, though powerful, was not as well placed as he would have hoped. The ball sailed slightly forward, rather than into the thick of the penalty box.

"Cahill gets the first point!" the commentator called. "He heads it clear!"

The ball was punched out of the penalty area, sailing toward Tristan, who immediately prepared to make a play.

"And here comes the counterattack! The ball's heading toward number 22, Tristan!" the commentator's voice was filled with excitement.

Tristan's eyes locked onto the ball as it descended, his body already in motion. Without hesitation, he opted not to trap it with his chest but allowed it to fall gently onto his thigh. The ball was in perfect position, and with a swift motion, Tristan lifted his right foot and struck it.

With a light but precise touch, he passed the ball over the heads of Pirlo and the defenders behind him. The pass was smooth, deliberate, and powerful.

"What a beautiful lob!" the commentator exclaimed. "Tristan has just launched an aerial pass that's as smooth as silk!"

Tristan's confidence was apparent. His movement had already set the stage for what was to come. The ball soared through the air, spinning rapidly, cutting through the defense like a knife through butter.

It was headed straight toward Jamie Vardy, who had already started his run as soon as Tristan made his move. Vardy knew exactly what was coming—Tristan had made the same pass countless times in training, and their chemistry was undeniable.

"Vardy's in motion! He's racing toward it!" the commentator's voice carried the excitement of the crowd.

Vardy was a blur of motion as he sprinted down the field, his legs pumping hard. The two Italian defenders, Damian and Parolo, were now trying desperately to catch up with him, but Vardy had already gained valuable yards. Damian raised his arm, signaling for an offside call, but the linesman remained silent.

"It's no offside! Vardy's onside! He's got a clear run!" the commentator noted.

The ball was coming closer, and Vardy was in prime position. Meanwhile, Italy's goalkeeper, Sirigu, had begun his charge from the goal, sensing that a counterattack might be underway. But when Sirigu saw the ball start to slow down mid-flight, he hesitated.

"What's happening here? The ball has started to slow down—Sirigu's got to make a decision!" the commentator observed.

In that moment of indecision, Sirigu was caught off guard. Vardy was closing in fast, and before the goalkeeper could fully commit to either attacking the ball or returning to his goal, it was too late. Vardy reached the ball first and with a deft touch, lobbed it over Sirigu's outstretched arms. The ball curved beautifully through the air, drawing a perfect parabola before landing in the empty net.

"Goal! What a stunning counterattack!" the commentator roared. "Two lobs, one from Tristan, and another from Vardy, and Italy is left reeling! England has broken through!"

The crowd in the Amazon Arena erupted into jubilant cheers. Thousands of English fans were on their feet, shouting and waving flags. On the pitch, Vardy's face lit up with pure exhilaration as he sprinted toward Tristan, who had already begun his own celebration.

"What a pass from number 22! Unbelievable technique!" the commentator continued. "90% of the credit for that goal has to go to Tristan!"

Vardy caught up with Tristan, and the two teammates embraced, their joy evident in their smiles and laughter.

"TRISTAN!"

"I scored! In the World Cup!" Vardy exclaimed, his voice full of excitement.

Tristan grinned, the satisfaction of the moment filling him. "I told you to just run, Vardy. If I can't pass to you, that's on me."

"I never doubted you for a second, mate," Vardy responded with a hearty laugh, giving Tristan a solid hug.

As the rest of the England team rushed over to join the celebration, the contrast on the Italian side couldn't have been more stark. The Italian players were still in disbelief, many of them barely out of England's half before the ball was already in the back of their net.

Pirlo, in particular, stood still, his expression hardening as he watched the celebrations unfold. He ran his fingers through his hair, his mind racing. He realized with a sudden jolt that he wasn't the same player he once was, the young midfield maestro who had once dominated matches.

"Could I still keep up with these youngsters?" Pirlo thought, his mind wandering to his age. "Maybe it's time I thought about retirement..."

But just as quickly, he shook the thought away. There was still more to be done. He hadn't yet helped Juventus achieve that elusive Champions League title, and he wasn't about to give up now.

Back on the pitch, the England team continued to celebrate, and the focus shifted. The Italians were reeling, but England's momentum was undeniable. The game was far from over, but for now, England had the lead, and their confidence was soaring.

"What a moment for England! Vardy and Tristan have just connected in one of the most fluid counterattacks we've seen in this tournament!" the commentator's voice echoed across the stadium.

The battle was far from won, but this goal had set the tone for what was to come.

In the 86th minute, Tristan delivered a perfectly timed pass to Vardy, who calmly slotted the ball into an empty net, bringing the score level once again! Not only did this goal help England equalize, but it also marked Vardy's first-ever World Cup goal on his debut! And, of course, Tristan made his own mark in the tournament, assisting on that goal in his World Cup debut as well.

"What a brilliant pass from Tristan! A perfectly weighted ball, right into Vardy's path. He couldn't have asked for a better delivery on his World Cup debut. Vardy's finish is clinical, and this game is all tied up!"

"That was pure class from No. 22. His vision and timing are remarkable for someone so young. What an assist to cap off his debut performance at this level!"

This assist was no small feat; it made Tristan the first player in football history to record an assist in his debut appearances in the Championship, FA Cup, and World Cup. In just a short time, he had made an impact in every major debut with both club and country—an achievement that would undoubtedly stir discussions long after the game.

"You can't underestimate the significance of that assist. It's not every day you see someone make history like that. Tristan's going to be talked about for a long time after this performance."

With the score now tied, Italy's manager, Cesare Prandelli, made a change, frowning as he waved for his final substitution. Balotelli, who had been a threat throughout the match, was replaced by defender Bonucci, shifting Italy's formation from four at the back to five. Clearly, Prandelli was keen to shore up his defense after England's resurgence.

"Prandelli's making the call to strengthen the defense here. After that equalizer, Italy can't afford to let another one slip. They're going to need all the defensive stability they can get in these final minutes."

For England, a draw against their Group D rivals was an acceptable result, so Hodgson made his own substitution, bringing on Wilshere in place of Gerrard to maintain control of the midfield in the final minutes.

"Smart move by Hodgson, bringing on Wilshere. He'll help control the ball and ensure England aren't caught on the counterattack in these closing minutes."

With both teams playing it safe in the last few minutes, England controlled possession until the referee's final whistle blew.

Beep—beep—beep!

The game ended in a 2-2 draw. Both managers exchanged handshakes, and Prandelli, clearly impressed, complimented Hodgson.

"You played very well, especially after No. 22 came on."

Hodgson raised an eyebrow at the remark, unsure whether it implied that England's performance before Tristan's introduction had been lacking. It certainly wasn't hard to imagine that if England had been playing better, they would have been the ones leading 2-1. After a brief pause, Hodgson smiled and responded graciously.

"I think so too."

Despite England's strong showing, it was Balotelli who was awarded the Man of the Match for his dangerous plays and goal. But among the fans and pundits, Tristan's assist was the main topic of conversation. It was a piece of play that deserved replaying: after outmaneuvering Pirlo, he made a delicate, long pass that set up the equalizer—an elegant moment of sporting beauty.

"What a moment! Tristan takes on Pirlo, the master of the midfield, and beats him with ease before delivering an inch-perfect pass to Vardy. That's a piece of footballing art!"

The fact that it was Pirlo, Italy's midfield maestro, who was left trailing in his wake made the moment all the more impressive. Though Pirlo's defensive skills were not his strongest suit, his mistake was magnified by Tristan's brilliance. It was clear that, after this game, people would remember Pirlo's misstep and Tristan's brilliant assist in equal measure.

Tristan, feeling the weight of the moment, sought out Pirlo after the final whistle. When the two exchanged jerseys, Pirlo complimented Tristan with a slight smile.

"You have great vision and passing ability, young man. Would you be interested in joining Juventus?"

Tristan was caught off guard. His pride swelled at the thought of being recognized by such a legendary player. But, feeling loyal to his current path, he politely declined.

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm not thinking about transferring right now."

Pirlo nodded, and they shared a respectful hug before parting ways.

This would be the first and last time Tristan faced Pirlo on the pitch, but it was a moment that would stay with him forever.

As England and Italy finished their match, all teams in Group D had completed their first round of games. In a surprising twist, Uruguay, despite having top players like Suarez and Cavani, lost their opening match to Costa Rica, leaving Costa Rica unexpectedly leading the group. England and Italy shared second place with the same points, and Uruguay, having lost, found themselves at the bottom.

"Uruguay's loss to Costa Rica is a huge shock to the group. The South American powerhouse was expected to make an impact, but now they're staring down a must-win situation against England next. It's going to be a tense battle."

England's next match was going to be crucial, as Uruguay would surely throw everything they had into securing a win. A loss or draw for them would leave them on the brink of elimination.

However, Hodgson, for the time being, was content with the result. After returning to the locker room, he gathered the players and praised their efforts.

"Great effort, lads! We fought hard to come back twice and earn that draw. I saw a lot of character and resilience today—exactly what we need on the World Cup stage."

"There's still work to do, but I believe in you. Keep pushing and leave it all on the field in the next two games."

For Tristan, the game wasn't just memorable for the draw—it was a major milestone. He had achieved two major feats: his World Cup debut and his first-ever World Cup assist. Both achievements earned him extra attribute points, and he made sure to commemorate the moment by posting a photo with Vardy in the locker room.

"@Vardy for helping me get my first assist in the World Cup!"

The match would undoubtedly be a highlight in both Tristan's and Vardy's careers, and their connection on the pitch was one of many moments to remember.

"You score, I assist—we've got a bright future ahead!"

.....

Huh, we got some new reviews, thank you, thank you. Also does anyone actually read the chinese story, I need some help in regards to Barbara, in the chinese novel, he meets Barbara in Milan, but they really don't have much interaction, it's later in England when they meet again and start dating, I was thinking of just making it love at first sight for both of them and have them actually interact and talk to each other in Milan and write things from there. I really don't mind writing original chapters and stuff, I'm already doing that, like 20% of this story is my own original chapters and stuff I wrote.

For god's sake, I'm aboutta crash out on my professor, it's fucking 10:55 am and dude cancelled class and didn't let the class know, piece of shit, the whole class waited 30 minutes for his ass.