Chapter 325: The Tsar

"What a spectacular goal!"

"That shot from the ground really showcased Šuker's superb shooting skills!"

"Even after losing his balance, he still managed an incredible strike!"

On the field, Šuker quickly scrambled to his feet.

After confirming the goal, he turned and dashed toward the corner flag to celebrate, shouting as he ran:

"Awesome!"

"So freaking awesome!"

"I'm the f***ing best!"

As Šuker reached the corner flag, the Croatian fans in the away stand erupted in wild cheers.

His goal had broken the deadlock in the match — and on foreign soil no less.

This was hugely significant for Croatia.

"Oh my God! How did you do that?!"

"A goal! Unbelievable! That was insane!"

"How did that even go in?"

Mandžukić and others rushed over, visibly excited but more so in disbelief.

They understood just how difficult that goal had been.

Normally, when a player is falling, they'd already given up on the shot.

But Šuker still found the net.

It left them stunned.

Still, it was a good thing — Croatia had taken the lead.

"OHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!——"

Croatia's rock-and-roll manager was back at it, celebrating with wild passion.

He sprinted along the touchline.

As he neared the Russian technical area, he turned and ran the other way, shouting and cheering as he went.

Šuker's goal didn't just put Croatia ahead — it also took a lot of pressure off Bilić.

With this goal, Croatia had the advantage and could control the match more.

But now—

"Defense! Hold that lead!"

Bilić shouted loudly onto the pitch.

After the celebrations, the entire Croatian team returned to their half and began setting up to hold the lead.

With less than ten minutes left in the first half, they couldn't afford to let Russia equalize.

"The Croatian lads are dropping back on defense now — a smart move. It's all about holding out and taking that lead into the second half!"

Following Croatia's goal, the Russian players became visibly more frantic.

Their attacks intensified.

More pressing up front, more crosses from the wings.

As time ticked away in the first half, they even began trying long-range shots — desperate to score.

But Croatia held firm, locking down key defensive positions.

Everyone dropped back except for Mandžukić, who stayed up front alone.

Finally, the halftime whistle blew — end of the first half.

"Damn it! I'm dead tired!"

Šimunić cursed as he walked into the locker room — but he wore a wide grin.

Russia had gone all out in those final minutes.

Croatia barely held on.

But in the end, their resilient defense carried their lead into the second half.

"Watch out after the break. These guys run like machines!"

Šuker chewed on a banana as he spoke.

Šimunić grinned. "Aren't you tired?"

Šuker replied, "I'm just hungry."

He broke off a piece and handed it to Modrić.

The latter took it and popped it into his mouth.

The two of them munched on bananas like nothing had happened.

"Don't be surprised," said Srna, patting Šimunić on the shoulder. "These two have donkey-level stamina."

"Donkey?"

Šimunić looked confused.

Just then, Mandžukić grabbed his shorts and shouted, "Šuker! I'm gonna kill you!"

Šuker darted to the other side of the table, taunting him.

Šimunić was exhausted, nearly throwing up.

But seeing Šuker, who had clearly run more than him and was still full of energy, he finally understood what "donkey stamina" meant.

"Sit down, all of you!"

Bilić walked into the locker room and saw Šuker and Mandžukić horsing around — and immediately snapped at them.

This was no time to fool around — the second half was still ahead!

Didn't they know to save their energy?

Mandžukić returned to the bench and glared at Šuker.

Šuker went to sit next to Šimić.

"Make room!"

Mandžukić quickly raised his hand: "Coach! Šuker isn't sitting in his spot!"

"You're a child, huh? Snitching now?" Šuker laughed and pointed at Mandžukić. "Coach, he wants to hit me!"

Mandžukić replied, "He pulled my pants!"

"I didn't!"

"You did!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

Bilić rubbed his temples and sighed. "You two, pipe down."

Šuker and Mandžukić immediately shut up.

"Go sit and behave!"

Šuker obediently walked over.

Mandžukić started poking at him again.

Bilić shot him a glare and Mandžukić instantly sat up straight.

"In the second half, we must hold our defense — that's absolutely key. And stay alert for their No. 10!"

Arshavin had repeatedly threatened Croatia's defense.

Though he hadn't scored yet, it was clear he was getting more dangerous.

Besides Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko — that tall striker — was also a concern.

He wasn't a dribbler or a speedster, but he was dangerous on headers and positioning.

Šimunić was exhausted largely because of Pavlyuchenko.

Despite being taller than him, Pavlyuchenko's jumping ability was unreal.

"In the second half, we're focusing on defense and counterattacks!"

Bilić clapped his hands loudly: "Let's get our first win in the Euro qualifiers!"

"Our first win!!!"

The team roared in unison.

Morale was sky-high.

Second half — sides switched.

Neither team made any changes at halftime.

Both managers trusted their starting lineups.

Right from the restart, Russia changed tactics — they exploited Arshavin's pace on the flanks, sending in cross after cross, trying to set up Pavlyuchenko.

Croatia's defense was under heavy pressure.

Šimunić began losing more aerial duels, forcing Robert Kovač to cover for him.

Even Niko Kovač had to drop back at times.

The Kovač brothers were a rare pair in national football — both regulars, both seasoned, and with excellent defensive chemistry.

But Russia's relentless bombardment began to wear them down.

"We're too passive," Šuker frowned.

He wasn't questioning Bilić's tactics.

But Croatia's strength was clearly in attack, not defense — their legendary defenders hadn't fully matured yet.

While Šimunić and the Kovač brothers were decent, they weren't elite in the broader picture.

Šuker preferred midfield control, maximizing their strengths and minimizing weaknesses.

But Bilić had other ideas.

Russia kept pressing.

Šuker was frustrated — he even tried dropping back to help defend a few times, but it made little difference.

Defense requires a system and discipline.

One guy doing well can't compensate for a broken structure.

National teams lack the time to drill those systems — unlike club teams.

That's why some national teams simply import a club's entire backline.

It eliminates the need for chemistry.

But Croatia preferred to call up players from the top European leagues.

Although they did include a few from the domestic league, it wasn't much.

Look at Russia's lineup.

Their defense was basically CSKA Moscow.

Their attackers mostly from Zenit.

Mix and match the midfield — minimal adjustment needed.

They were ready to go.

Šuker actually wished Dinamo Zagreb could build a world-class backline.

But given Dinamo's "talent shop" nature, that was impossible.

So Croatia still needed more time to gel.

Suddenly, Arshavin neared the goal line.

A fake cross followed by a quick cut — he sent Šimić flying the wrong way and slipped by.

Entering the box, Arshavin took a decisive shot.

Low and fast — it zipped just under Croatian keeper Pletikosa's arm and into the net.

71st minute — Russia equalized thanks to Arshavin's brilliant solo effort.

"Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Andrey Arshavin! He stepped up when Russia needed him most! After wave after wave of attacks, we finally broke through — and he tied the score!"

"Well done! Well done, boys!"

The Russian commentator threw both hands into the air and roared:

"Oorah!"

The entire stadium erupted into thunderous celebration.

OORAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!——

Russian fans were going wild.

That crucial goal calmed their earlier anxiety.

And since the start of the second half, Russia had only been getting better.

The match continued.

Victory was still up for grabs.

But the balance was tipping toward Russia.