After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

The roar of the crowd at Maximilian Stadium did not subside with the halftime whistle; the second half was only going to be more exciting.

England returned to the locker room with a 1-0 lead, the players beaming with excitement, especially around Yan Yuan, whose godlike goal-line clearance still resonated in the air.

The Croatian players looked somber.

Perisic, in particular, looked at Yan Yuan with a complex and unreadable gaze, a mixture of resentment and fear of Yan Yuan's terrifying jumping ability.

Southgate didn't dwell on his lead in the locker room; his gaze was sharp, and his tone was calm.

"In the second half, Croatia will launch a furious counterattack! Perisic and Rebic will continue to attack our flanks! Midfield! Dier! Delph! Keep Modric pinned down! Don't give him a moment's respite! Defense! Stay focused! Gomez! Stones, withstand their aerial bombardment! Chilwell! Walker! Reduce your attacking runs, prioritize solid defense!"

He paused, then turned his gaze to Yan Yuan and Rashford:

"Counter-attack! That's our weapon! Yan! Marcus! Keep the momentum going! Once we get the ball, we'll definitely attack behind their defense! Kane! Drop back to receive the ball and act as a pivot! Barkley! Connect the front and back lines!"

Remember, one goal is never enough; we must seize every opportunity and extend our lead as much as possible!

"Understood, boss!" came the neat and firm response from the locker room.

Yan Yuan's eyes were burning, and there was still a faint red mark on his forehead from when he had just saved the day.

He felt like he was on a high.

"Beep—!"

The whistle blows for the second half.

Just as Southgate had predicted, Croatia, like an enraged lion, unleashed an even more ferocious offensive.

Perisic exploded on the left flank.

He used his strong physique and agile footwork to repeatedly break through Walker's defenses.

After cutting inside, he unleashed a powerful left-footed shot, the ball whistling past the crossbar and flying out of bounds.

This kick sent chills down the spines of England fans!

Rebic was also active on the right flank, playing a one-two with Rakitic before forcefully crossing from the byline.

The ball was fast and flat, flying straight into the six-yard box.

Lovren outjumps Gomez to head home a goal!

That's a tricky angle!

"Lovren! A header!!! This match is practically a header exhibition, with headers coming from both sides all the time," the commentator exclaimed.

England's first-choice goalkeeper, Pickford, demonstrated top-class reflexes and save ability in this instance.

He made a diving save to the side, deftly tipping the ball over the crossbar with one hand! A brilliant save to keep the goal intact!

This save will only further inspire Croatia's fighting spirit.

Croatia's attacks came wave after wave, putting immense pressure on England's defense.

It's not just the Croatian players who are fighting.

The Croatian fans in the stands were also shouting at the top of their lungs, trying to overwhelm the English with the home crowd's roar.

The England players united as one, with Dier and Delph acting as two moving gates in midfield, effectively limiting Modric's passing options.

Gomez and Stones held their ground in the penalty area, forming a final barrier with their bodies.

Turning points often emerge under high pressure.

In the 51st minute, Croatia patiently passed the ball around in the attacking third, attempting to break through England's defense.

Brozovic received the ball near the center circle and tried to pass it to Rebic, who was making a run down the flank.

Stones continued to demonstrate his top-notch anticipation and stealing ability.

He seized the initiative with a precise sliding tackle!

The toe poked the ball first!

"Interception! Stones! Beautiful tackle!" the commentator shouted.

The ball was cleanly intercepted by Stones.

He looked up and surveyed the field, his wide field of vision as sharp as that of a hawk!

Stones instantly spotted the huge gap on the right flank of the attacking third, a deadly vacuum left by Croatia's defensive line as they pushed forward as a whole.

And I saw that reassuring number 17.

Stones made the decision.

His supporting foot was firmly planted on the ground, and the arch of his right foot was taut, like a fully drawn bow.

He delivered a powerful and precise long pass over the top.

The ball, spinning intensely and whistling through the air, traced a deadly parabola.

It landed precisely on the vast open space behind Lovren!

This long pass tore apart Croatia's entire midfield line.

"Long pass! Stones goes straight for Yan Yuan! England has a counter-attack opportunity!" the commentator shouted.

The moment Yan Yuan intercepted the ball from Stones, his English supercar attributes were already activated.

His sprint speed swept across Croatia's half!

Lovren hastily pursued them!

The two engaged in a fierce physical confrontation while running at high speed!

Lovren tried to use his strong body to push Yan Yuan aside and seize the landing point of the high ball.

They're about to have an aerial showdown!

The ball is falling.

The ball will land near the penalty spot.

Lovren, relying on his experience, took the initiative to gain a favorable position and planned to jump early to try to clear the ball with a header.

A fierce glint flashed in Yan Yuan's eyes as he faced Lovren's blocking and interference.

He held Lovren as firmly as a rock.

With his powerful physique, Yan Yuan was like a battering ram, effectively compressing Lovren's space to jump!

Under Yan Yuan's powerful pressure and interference, Lovren lost his balance and barely managed to bump the bottom of the ball!

"Lovren! Header clearance... Oh no, Lovren made a mistake, he lost the challenge, the header is still in the air!" The commentator had already stood up.

After Lovren headed the ball, it didn't fly very far.

Instead, it was lifted high and floated by Lovren.

The ball bounced high like a lob, landing near the edge of the six-yard box!

Opportunity is coming

Yan Yuan instantly detected the ball's second landing point.

He once again unleashed a starting speed that exceeded all limits!

Just two steps!

His legs suddenly released like springs compressed to their limit.

Yan Yuan's left supporting leg muscles instantly tensed and bulged, the lines like cast steel.

Captured by high-speed cameras, it displays an explosive sense of power and beauty!

He seemed to have broken free from gravity!

They leaped high into the air like a rocket taking off!

"Yan Yuan jumped!!! Wait, this height..." The commentator was almost stunned.

The height of his jump shocked the entire audience.

Yan Yuan seemed to freeze in mid-air!

From the camera angle, his head was almost level with the goalpost.

The body fully extends in the air, forming a perfect reverse arch shape!

Explode your core strength to its maximum.

His neck muscles were taut like steel cables, and as he ascended, his gaze remained fixed on the falling ball!

The instant the ball made contact with Yan Yuan's forehead.

The lion shook its head violently!

Yan Yuan's right forehead, like a heavy hammer, struck the upper middle part of the ball with tremendous force and precision!

"Bang--!!!"

A dull, heart-stopping explosion.

The ball seemed to be imbued with destructive kinetic energy, instantly changing direction!

Transforming into a swift white blur, it hurtled towards the bottom right corner of the goal with a whooshing sound!

Goalkeeper Livakovic didn't even have time to make a complete save.

His body had just started moving when the ball smashed into the net like a cannonball.

Lift the snow-white net high!

"GOOOOOOALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!" The commentator went completely mad, his voice cracking from extreme shock and excitement.

"Holy crap, it's in!!! England 2-0 Croatia!!! Yan Yuan! My God!!! My God! Just now, what... what the hell was that?! I almost thought I was watching the NBA Slam Dunk Contest! Incredible header and jumping ability!!!"

Stones' pinpoint long pass! Yan Yuan's top-notch positioning! Terrifying physical duels! And that fucking terrifying jumping height!

Holy Fucking Shit! This is practically defying the laws of physics!!! That height… I bet it's over 2.3 meters! No, it could even be 2.5 meters! I bet this goal will go down in football history! And you get the Guinness World Record! England now has its second aerial superpower!

The commentator was very passionate, using a lot of profanity, but very enthusiastic.

The entire Maxim's Stadium fell into a deathly silence.

Even Croatian fans were stunned, as if they had been frozen in place.

Lovren slumped to the ground, staring blankly at the ball in the goal, as if he had lost his soul.

Modric stood with his hands on his hips, shaking his head helplessly, while Perisic held his head in disbelief.

Meanwhile, the English Expeditionary Force stands were completely engulfed in a frenzy!

"God is mighty! God is mighty! God is mighty!"

"Sir Yan, England has nuclear weapons!!!"

Red and white cross flags were waving wildly.

The shouts and screams of male and female fans mingled together, creating a sound wave powerful enough to lift the roof off.

After Yan Yuan landed, he opened his arms like a king reigning over the world, closed his eyes, and accepted the overwhelming worship!

Stones sprinted from the backcourt and excitedly jumped onto his back!

Kane, Rashford, Barkley...

All his teammates rushed towards him frantically.

They surrounded him.

This goal not only secured the victory but was also a visual feast that transcended human limits!

A divine intervention that will be etched in football history!

With a two-goal lead, the game is essentially over.

England's tactics immediately became clear and pragmatic: control the tempo, solidify the defense, and run down the clock.

Southgate signaled from the sidelines.

The defensive midfield duo of Dier and Delph dropped deeper, firmly guarding the edge of the penalty area like two insurmountable dams.

Modric and Rakitic attempted to organize an attack.

However, Dier's relentless close marking and Delph's precise help defense made it extremely difficult for Modric to get the ball, severely limiting his passing options.

England's midfield strangulation tactics were executed flawlessly.

After the first half, the temporary central defensive pairing of Gomez and Stones became increasingly in sync.

The two players displayed solid defense in direct confrontations and excellent control of high balls, effectively shutting down Croatia's core attacking area.

Chilwell and Walker also reduced their forward runs and focused on defending the flanks, effectively containing the attacks from Perisic and Rebic.

England began to patiently pass the ball around in their own half.

By utilizing Kane's dropping back to receive the ball and Barkley's midfield orchestration, they maintained firm control of possession.

The ball was passed smoothly at the feet of the English players, while the Croatian players scrambled to keep up but could not win it back.

England maintained firm control of the game's tempo, and time slipped away quietly with each safe pass.

The morale of the Croatian players was clearly dampened.

Trailing by two goals, their attack appeared impatient and disorganized in the face of England's impenetrable defense and efficient ball control.

Passing errors increased, and long-range shots lost their accuracy.

Modric's face was full of helplessness, and Perisic also seemed somewhat powerless.

Their delaying tactics finally failed.

England's defense was well-organized, with Yan Yuan and Rashford actively dropping back to participate in the defense. Croatia's counterattack was like waves crashing against rocks, futile and ineffective.

England did not simply defend blindly.

They used their ball possession advantage to look for counter-attack opportunities.

I'm trying to figure out if I can get one more in.

Kane and Barkley attempted several long-range shots from outside the penalty area.

Although they failed to score again, Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic was forced to remain cautious, further wearing down his opponent's stamina and patience.

The game has entered its final fifteen minutes.

Croatian coach Dalic made substitutions in an attempt to make a final push, but with little success.

England, on the other hand, played with more composure.

In the 80th minute, Croatia pressed forward aggressively, attempting a final stand.

A pass in the attacking third was cleanly headed away by Gomez!

The ball fell to Delph's feet outside the penalty area.

Delph maintained his composure and vision.

Instead of blindly launching a long ball, he controlled it steadily, looked up and saw Barkley raising his hand near the center circle, asking for the ball!

Delph made a precise pass to Barkley.

The moment Barkley received the ball, Croatia's defense, having pushed forward to assist, created a huge vacuum on the left flank.

Pivaric had already advanced into the attacking third and was unable to track back in time.

Barkley's gaze was as sharp as a scalpel; he instantly spotted this fatal opening!

We also saw Rashford starting from the left wing.

Rashford is in a better position than Yan Yuan.

Barkley, with his foot taut, delivered a through ball with perfect power, angle, and lead.

The ball, like a precision-guided missile, skimmed the grass and instantly pierced through Croatia's loose defense.

He rolled precisely towards the front of Rashford's sprint.

Rashford suddenly accelerated the moment Barkley passed the ball.

Yan Yuan also cooperated with Rashford on the right wing.

Rashford has shaken off all the Croatian players who were trying to track him back! Offside trap successfully broken.

This is an absolute one-on-one situation.

Rashford continued his long run with the ball.

They broke into the left side of the penalty area.

Facing Livakovic, who abandoned his goal to attack.

He calmly observed the goalkeeper's movements, adjusted his footwork, and then chipped the ball with the instep of his right foot.

The ball traced a precise arc, bypassing Livakovic's outstretched arm and rolling into the far corner of the goal.

"GOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLL!" the commentator shouted loudly.

"3-0! England! Rashford seals the victory! A perfect counter-attack! Barkley's exquisite through ball! Rashford's deadly speed and composed finish! Croatia has completely collapsed!"

This goal completely sealed the victory.

The English expeditionary force erupted in celebration once again.

Rashford excitedly slid on his knees in celebration, and Barkley rushed towards him laughing.

On the sidelines, Southgate pumped his fist, his face beaming with relief and pride.

With the remaining time, the game had completely entered garbage time.

Gareth Southgate substituted Winks for Barkley and Sterling for Yan Yuan, effectively ending the match.

Croatia's sporadic counter-attacks were easily thwarted by England, with Pickford even making one save, but it seemed more like a routine effort.

"Beep—! Beep—! Beep—!"

Three long whistles finally sounded, and the game ended.

In the final group stage match of the UEFA Nations League, England defeated Croatia 3-0.

The Maximilian Stadium was caught in a stark contrast between extremes.

Croatian fans left the stadium in disappointment and silence.

The clamor at the Zagreb stadium gradually subsided, leaving only the deafening songs and cheers of the English expeditionary force.

The players hugged each other in celebration.

Yan Yuan was surrounded by his teammates in the middle, receiving the worship of the entire audience!

First, there was the divine clearance in the first half, followed by the earth-shattering header goal in the second half.

Number 17 Yan is undoubtedly the superhero of this victory.

Gareth Southgate shook hands with Croatian coach Dalic, his face showing the respect of a victor.

He walked to the center of the field and gave each of his disciples a high-five and a hug.

When he walked up to Yan Yuan, he patted Yan Yuan's shoulder forcefully, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration and pride.

"Yan! Your performance tonight was king-level!"

Yan Yuan responded with a smile.

"Thank you, Coach! This is all thanks to our efforts!"

Then, the England players lined up, linked arms, and walked together toward the England fans' away stand to bow in thanks.

Red and white flags fluttered proudly in the Zagreb night sky.

This victory not only solidified their position at the top of the group, but also, with a resounding triumph, announced the Three Lions' strong resurgence and their successful revenge against Croatia!

Yan Yuan, the young Arsenal star, proved to the world with his godlike performance that he is not only the future of Arsenal, but also the absolute core of the revival of English football.

Just as Southgate described it, Yan Yuan is a "king".

England's journey in the UEFA Nations League looks bright.