Chapter 57: Human After All

It was the 71st minute, and Brazil had been awarded a penalty kick! It was a clear decision - if Brazil scored, they would take firm control of this football match.

Pinga was celebrated as a hero, with teammates and Brazilian fans praising his inspired performance. 

Kaka was the designated penalty taker, but he checked with Adriano first: "Do you want to take it?"

Adriano had already scored five goals, tying him for second in the scoring charts with Savelio, behind Kaka's six goals. If Adriano converted this penalty, it could put two Brazilians at the top of the scoring standings, provided Savelio failed to score in his match.

But after barely a thought, Adriano shook his head. "No, you take it."

Kaka looked surprised but nodded before placing the ball on the penalty spot.

A hush fell over the stadium as the fans awaited the penalty kick, with only a few Ghanaian fans trying to distract Kaka with shouts and whistles.

Banana, the Ghanaian goalkeeper, did some practice hops along his goal-line, signaling his readiness to the referee.

After reminding his teammates to be ready for a rebound chance, Kaka gave a thumbs up.

The referee blew his whistle, and Kaka took a short run-up before firmly shooting the ball towards the goalkeeper's left side.

But Banana had already dived full-stretch to his right, parrying Kaka's firmly-struck shot away.

"Kaka shoots...No! Banana guessed correctly and makes a world-class save to deny the Brazilian captain! What a pity, no one expected Kaka to miss from the penalty spot! Everyone knows what scoring that penalty could have meant for Brazil."

Banana cradled the ball possessively, roaring in celebration from his knees.

Kaka looked frustrated, briefly striking a pose similar to Baggio's iconic image before turning sheepishly to apologize to his teammates.

Scoring penalties requires technique, composure and luck - he felt he had the technique and composure, but luck had deserted him on this attempt.

Despite being hailed as the "Son of God," he was still human. If he could mishit shots so embarrassingly at times, then missing a penalty was certainly understandable.

Occasional heroics aside, he ultimately remained imperfect - liable to lapses and mistakes, just a normal person, though undoubtedly hard for him to accept in that moment.

The reprieved Ghanaian players grew increasingly cautious after the missed penalty, seeming content to protect their slender lead.

In contrast, the missed chance galvanized Brazil to shed any disappointment quickly.

A team often mirrors its leader's mindset: Ferguson's exit stripped Manchester United of their aura, Maradona and Messi's Argentina sides had contrasting styles and mentalities, while Klopp's Liverpool sustained the steely spirit exemplified by Gerrard.

Under Kaka's resilient, unflappable influence, this Brazilian team adopted a similar mindset after the missed penalty.

In the 80th minute, Brazil made their final substitution as Oliveira replaced Roberta in a striker swap.

The two strikers had comparable reputations and abilities, though Roberta's clinical performances in limited group stage minutes had cemented his starting place.

But with foresight of Oliveira's greater potential, Kaka justified the substitution.

The 20-year-old Oliveira from Sao Paulo, currently playing at Sporting CP, had scored 22 goals in 41 games this season - putting him among Brazil's most prolific strikers in his age group.

Oliveira's first involvement vindicated Kaka's decision, as he killed an awkward long pass superbly with a great first touch.

Once again, Kaka instigated the attack, combining with Pinga before finding Macon wide on the right wing. Macon cushioned a clever reverse pass to Leo who, after carrying the ball towards the byline, hung a cross towards the penalty area.

Adriano soared highest, thundering a downward header that Banana brilliantly repelled with an outstretched boot after seemingly anticipating Adriano's movement in the air. 

But before Banana could recover, the quicker Oliveira reacted first to stab the rebound into the unguarded net from six yards out, sparking wild celebrations from the Brazilian players and fans.

The ecstatic Oliveira raced away to celebrate, joined by Adriano and Leo, though the distant Kaka and Baptista immediately looked to check if the goal was valid with the linesman.

Sure enough, the frantic Ghanaian defenders were adamant there was an offside infraction on the play, and the raised offside flag soon confirmed their appeal was correct.

"It's in...Oh wait, ruled out for offside against Oliveira. Let's review the replay...yes, it does look like a very tight call there on whether Oliveira was offside or not."

As the Brazilian commentator labeled it a "tight" offside decision, his Ghanaian counterpart insisted it was a "clear and obvious" offside violation.

Oliveira briefly protested the call, likely suspecting his run had timed just a fraction too late, but ultimately accepted the referee's decision to disallow the goal.

Despite the disallowed goal, Ghana's defenders still looked rattled from the succession of Brazilian attacks.

Few opponents are as feared in football as an in-form substitute striker: fresh legs, desperate to score goals after watching patiently from the bench, and crucially, having studied the opponents' weaknesses carefully.

Oliveira continued tormenting Ghana's defense, going close twice more though sending one effort just wide of the post and being denied by a last-ditch block on another chance.

"Brazil are rampant now, creating four clear-cut scoring chances quickly after that missed penalty. Every Brazilian effort has forced Banana into action; he's been immense, not just saving Kaka's penalty but also denying Adriano and Oliveira with wonderful reflex stops. Oliveira has really impressed - perhaps coach Costanio should have introduced his spark sooner."

With time waning in the match, Costanio called Kaka over during a break in play to give him some final instructions.

(end of chapter)