Chapter 371: Manchester City Defeated in the Final Moments

Chapter 371: Manchester City Defeated in the Final Moments

Rooney didn't pass the ball back to Bruno this time, as he was being tightly marked by both Fernandinho and De Bruyne. Instead, Rooney passed the ball forward to Ibrahimović.

"Manchester United's counterattack! Despite being in the 88th minute, their speed is still very fast, and this counterattack is still sharp!!" Lineker shouted excitedly.

Knowing United well, he recognized how dangerous this counterattack could be.

Ibrahimović, with his back to the goal, didn't hesitate and passed the ball back to Bruno, who was advancing. Due to Rooney and Ibrahimović, Fernandinho and De Bruyne's attention was successfully diverted, giving Bruno space to receive the ball.

However, Bruno didn't have much time to hold onto the ball, not even enough time to take a full shot. De Bruyne was right beside him, ready to block. Bruno didn't stop the ball; he immediately passed it forward to Ibrahimović!

"Zlatan——!!" shouted the commentator as the Swedish veteran turned to chase the ball, took a stride, and shot!

This was likely Manchester United's last chance to score. If they succeeded, they would narrowly escape defeat; if not, they would be done for.

Everyone's eyes were on the fast-moving ball. They saw it flying towards the goal's far corner and saw Bravo diving for it.

"He blocked it!!" the commentator supporting Manchester City yelled frantically.

Half a second before, the ball had deflected off Bravo's foot and bounced up!

"City!!" City fans in the stands cheered.

"The attack isn't over!!" shouted Lineker. He saw the ball deflected by Bravo but didn't go out of play; instead, it flew towards the edge of the penalty area.

"Opportunity!!" Lineker raised his arms, fists clenched.

When Bruno saw Bravo deflect the ball, he instinctively knew where it would land. He sprinted there faster than anyone else.

A second later, the ball landed in front of him, and only City's defender Otamendi was nearby!

Otamendi followed the ball's trajectory and suddenly noticed Bruno in front of him. He quickly moved to block Bruno, trying to use his body to prevent Bruno from shooting.

Bruno ignored Otamendi; all he saw was the ball and the goal.

This ball must go in! This ball must go in!! This ball… must go in!!!

He mentally chanted his mantra, swung his right leg, and struck the ball.

Otamendi crashed into him from the side just as Bruno shot.

Bravo had just gotten up when he saw the ball flying towards him. Instinctively, he raised his hands to block it.

Simultaneously, the ball hit his fingertips, bounced up, and then hit the net!

When the ball met resistance and fell, it had already crossed the goal line behind Bravo!

Old Trafford had witnessed countless miracles and moments of glory, but today was exceptionally special!

"Incredible… Manchester United has taken the lead again! 3-2!!"

"Incredible! Incredible!"

"This is absolutely unexpected!!"

The TV commentators were going crazy, shouting into their microphones.

"What have we seen? A miracle is about to happen! Ten-man Manchester United has taken the lead for the third time in this match at the very last moment!"

"Bruno! Bruno!! B-ru-no!!! He has accomplished what seemed impossible! He did it! His goal has given Manchester United the lead again!"

"Oh no! No! Manchester United has scored… this goal… this goal…"

"A heart-stopping goal! Manchester United has taken the lead in the final moments! They have saved themselves! Let me remind everyone that Manchester United has done this with one less player!"

When Bruno blasted the ball into City's net, the 70,000 Manchester United fans at Old Trafford erupted in cheers.

They truly witnessed a miracle!

"Look! Bruno!"

"The ball… the ball is in! He scored!!"

"Hahahaha! United did it! He really did it!"

Seeing Bruno score, Manchester United's new owner Jassim stood up in the box, raised his arms, and cheered. United's CEO, Giaretta, did the same.

Everyone in the box who supported Bruno and Manchester United celebrated, while City chairman Mubarak and their supporters sat in stunned silence, unable to accept the reality.

Not just them, but the over 2,000 City fans at Old Trafford, City's substitutes, coaches, and players on the pitch were all in shock.

How could City, with an extra player, be trailing in the final moments of the match?!

Bruno ran towards the stand where City fans were gathered, put his finger to his lips, and signaled for the noisy City fans to be quiet!

He had been annoyed since they started celebrating early.

The score was still tied; what were they celebrating?

Did they really think United was at their mercy?

This goal finally vented his frustration!

After silencing the City fans, he turned and spread his arms to welcome his teammates.

All of United's players on the field rushed towards him. The nearest was Ibrahimović, who leaped onto Bruno, waving his arms and shouting, "Well done, Bruno! That was brilliant!"

More teammates swarmed and engulfed them, even goalkeeper De Gea sprinted across the entire pitch to join the celebration.

They had every reason to go wild because the joy of surviving such a close call was incredibly sweet.

Just a minute ago, they watched Bruno take a shot after Ibrahimović's miss with a mix of hope and despair. A minute later, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief!

Bruno's excitement soon faded. He knew it wasn't time to celebrate yet; there were still a few minutes left in the match. For a team with one less player, this was not good news. City would surely launch a desperate attack in the remaining minutes.

If United couldn't hold on, all their previous efforts would be in vain.

While everyone gathered around him, Bruno shouted over the noise, "The match isn't over! Guys, we still have injury time to play. Stay calm! Our situation hasn't completely turned around yet. In the next few minutes, we must give it our all! I know everyone is tired after running for 90 minutes. But no matter how tired we are, we must hold on for just three more minutes!"

In truth, neither his teammates nor Bruno himself knew what to do next. Should they attack or defend desperately?

None of the United players knew.

They simply didn't want to waste their hard-earned lead.

"Ha ha ha! Bravo, Bruno!"

"That was amazing! Fucking amazing! Bruno is incredible!"

"Damn! I can't believe this is real! United is leading City with one less player!"

"Too exciting! My heart can barely take it!"

When Bruno scored, the internet exploded.

Everyone expressed their emotions.

"Even though I'm not a United fan, I cried when Bruno scored!"

"Go Bruno! Go Bruno!"

United's celebration lasted a bit long, even prompting the referee to intervene.

But it wasn't just relief at surviving; it was also Rooney's strategy to use the celebration to delay time and recover energy.

United had one less player, meaning they had to run more. Their energy was severely depleted.

There were about two minutes left in regular time, plus three minutes of injury time. The match still had at least five minutes to go.

If United collapsed due to fatigue in the final minutes, their nearly ninety minutes of hard work would be for nothing.

The referee intervened, and United ended their celebration, slowly returning to their positions, seizing every moment to rest.

But they needn't have worried. City hadn't recovered from the shock of conceding so late. Even when the match resumed, their attacks were sloppy and rushed, with a low success rate.

It was understandable. With the match in the 88th minute, they thought they were about to win. But their undermanned opponent scored on a quick counter, putting City behind again. Anyone would struggle to accept such a turn of events.

Until injury time, City couldn't mount an effective counterattack, their faces still showing confusion.

"Regular time is over. The match enters injury time!"

(End of Chapter)

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