When the referee blew the whistle to end regular time, the big screen at Wembley Stadium displayed a glaring 2-2 score.
The Dortmund players helped each other toward the bench, their faces etched with exhaustion—not just from the physical toll of ninety minutes of intense competition, but also from the immense mental strain of being pulled back from the brink of defeat.
Lin Fan was led to the sidelines with Royce's arm around his shoulder.
His legs felt as heavy as lead; that earth-shattering shot seemed to have drained all his strength.
But what made him even more uneasy was the line of text that had disappeared from his mind—the "Shoot and Goal" card had been used, and he didn't have many trump cards left.
"Well done, kid!" Hummels patted him on the head from behind.
"You saved our lives."
Lin Fan managed a weak smile. He knew that the real hell was only just beginning.
"Welcome back to Wembley Stadium, everyone." Zhang Xuan's voice was still excited, but it carried a hint of fatigue.
"After 90 minutes of regular time and 4 minutes of added time, Borussia Dortmund, thanks to Lin Fan's stunning long-range shot in the final moments, tenaciously leveled the score at 2-2! Now, the match will enter 30 minutes of extra time!"
"This is a situation that no one expected," Zhao Lu added.
"Especially when Lewandowski was injured and forced to come on with 18-year-old Lin Fan, almost everyone thought Dortmund had given up. But football always surprises us."
The camera panned across both teams' benches.
On the Dortmund side, the players slumped in their chairs, while the team doctor massaged Großkreutz's cramped calf.
Weidenfeller tilted his head back and gulped down an electrolyte drink; his entire upper body was soaked in sweat.
Klopp and assistant coach Buvac are having an urgent discussion, both looking serious and anxious.
The atmosphere was completely different at Bayern Munich.
Heynckes stood among the players, gesturing with his hands, his voice not loud but every word decisive.
Robben, Ribery, and Schweinsteiger, these veterans, looked relatively calm. Their breathing had calmed down, and their eyes shone with experienced composure—they had experienced too many moments like this and knew that extra time was not just a test of technique, but also of will and mentality.
"In terms of physical reserves, Bayern Munich clearly has the advantage," Zhang Xuan analyzed.
"They have a higher average age, but better squad depth, and they controlled the pace of the game in the final stages of regular time, so they were relatively less exhausted. Dortmund, on the other hand, were just relying on sheer willpower."
"Lin Fan is now the youngest player on the field," Zhao Lu said, turning the conversation to the young Chinese boy.
"Although he scored a golden goal in the final moments, the game is not over yet. In extra time, he will truly face the test of a world-class defender."
The camera focused on Lin Fan in close-up.
He sat at the very edge of the bench, head down, as the team doctor massaged his leg muscles.
The elation of scoring had faded from his young face, replaced by an expression that was a mixture of exhaustion, tension, and a certain determination.
His hands were trembling slightly, whether from the cold or from the physiological reaction after the adrenaline subsided, it was hard to tell.
"This child is only eighteen years old," Zhang Xuan said softly.
"On such an important stage, under such immense pressure, the challenges he faces have only just begun."
Reus was fouled by Lahm on the left wing, giving Dortmund a free kick in the attacking third.
This is Dortmund's first real attacking opportunity so far in extra time.
Reus took the penalty himself.
The ball was delivered to the far post, where Hummels outjumped Boateng to head the ball into the net!
But Neuer once again demonstrated the reaction of a world-class goalkeeper, tipping the ball over the crossbar with one hand.
Corner kick.
"Dortmund's chance!" Zhao Lu shouted.
Reus took the corner kick, and a scramble ensued in the penalty area. Lin Fan leaped into the air amidst the crowd—but his jump was completely outjumped by Dante, who easily headed the ball out of the box.
Lin Fan failed again in the second header contest.
Bayern cleared the ball, and the whistle blew to end the first half of extra time.
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