The game carried on with an intensity that felt almost unbearable, every touch of the ball charged with meaning. Elian and Marin continued to be the heartbeats of their respective teams, their presence dictating the flow of play. The midfield became a battlefield, with both sides fighting tooth and nail for every inch of space.
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Elian drifted into a pocket of space just beyond the halfway line, receiving a sharp pass from Vincent. With a quick glance up, he spotted Declan making a diagonal run toward the left flank. Elian's pass was immaculate, slicing through the Spanish midfield with pinpoint accuracy.