As David continued to move the ball down the field, he began to attract the attention of the Italian defenders. They closed in around him, their bodies forming a tight circle as they sought to cut off his angle of attack.
The English midfielder, Milo, saw an opportunity to create space and made a run down the left wing. He beat the Italian defender, Leonardo Ricci, with a quick step-over and sent a cross into the box.
The Italian goalkeeper, Alessandro Bianchi, came out to claim the cross, but the English striker, Elian, was hot on his heels. Elian jumped high into the air, his body arched backwards as he sought to get his head to the ball.
The crowd held its collective breath as Elian's header sailed towards the goal. But Bianchi was equal to the task, and he made a spectacular save to deny Elian the opening goal.