Chapter 326: The True Nature of a Striker
"Gilijanov completes a tackle at the center circle, Srna's pass was poor. Gilijanov sends it to Arshavin—Arshavin goes for a long-range shot! The Croatian keeper dives and punches the ball out of the box—Šimunić clears it with a big boot!"
"Russia's counterattack is on again! Semak crosses from the baseline, Pavlyuchenko jumps for the header! The ball deflects off Kovač's leg and bounces out of the penalty area, Semyshov follows up with a long-range shot! Croatian keeper Pletikosa dives and grabs the ball!"
"74th minute—both teams make substitutions. On the Russian side, Pavlyuchenko comes off and Sychev comes on. Croatia substitutes Robert Kovač for Ćorluka."
"Croatia's counterattack! The pace is lightning fast—Mandžukić passes!! Ah!! He's too slow—Russia intercepts again and sends it to Sychev. Another Russian counter!! Watch out! On the other side!! Arshavin!!"
The Croatian commentator, Klaušević, widens his eyes—he sees Arshavin surge forward like a cheetah.
He receives a perfect through pass from Sychev, adjusts upon receiving the ball, and shoots just before Šimunić can close him down.
The ball slips through the hands of Croatian goalkeeper Pletikosa and flies into the net.
77th minute—Croatia concedes another goal.
In less than ten minutes, Croatia has conceded two.
Russia now leads Croatia 2–1.
"Russian head coach Guus Hiddink's substitution was a game-changer—Sychev came on and immediately assisted Arshavin for the goal!"
"On the other hand, Croatia has become more passive!"
The Russian commentator's tone grows cheerful.
They've come from behind to take the lead—nothing could be better than this.
Croatian commentator Klaušević frowns and says,
"Bilic got baited by Hiddink. Bilic brought on the 192cm Ćorluka to strengthen aerial defense, but Hiddink brought on the fast and skillful Sychev. In the counterattacks, the space behind Šimunić and Ćorluka has become a danger zone. Russia is targeting Croatia's two heavy-footed center backs!"
Klaušević sighs helplessly.
Emotionally, he supports Bilic. But in terms of coaching experience, there's still a gap.
Maybe he trusts Šimunić, keeping him on the field. But after Robert Kovač went off, the remaining two center backs were like telephone poles—slow to turn. Every Russian charge was a threat.
At least Robert Kovač could still chase back—but these two couldn't even do that.
Bilic realizes his mistake.
He immediately makes two more changes.
Rakitić and Niko Kovač come off.
Olić and Knežević come on.
One to strengthen wing crosses.
The other—Knežević—to man-mark Arshavin.
Suker holds the ball at the center circle and exhales slowly.
The second half has been utterly frustrating.
They're being thoroughly outplayed by Russia.
Or rather, their "green" head coach Bilic is being toyed with by Hiddink like a burned-out CPU.
No doubt, Russia will now drop back and defend.
For Croatia, they must score.
At the very least, secure a draw!
Suker turns and shouts: "Send the ball to me more."
After a pause, he adds: "Luka, I'll win you a set piece!"
Modrić nods fiercely.
He knows—now that Russia has set up their defense—Suker needs to switch into 'beast mode.'
Whistle!The match resumes!
As play starts again, all eyes focus on Russia's half.
Indeed, Russia has pulled back to defend, and they're preparing more defensive substitutions in a few minutes.
Suker knows time is running out.
He needs to push harder, faster.
Modrić also leaves his deep role and pushes into the attacking half.
Croatia pushes its entire formation forward!
The moment of truth has arrived!
The ball reaches Suker's feet. He holds it with his back to goal, immediately pressured by two Russian defenders.
He battles fiercely to shield the ball.
Suddenly, Suker steps forward.
The two Russian players sense the pressure ease—
But Suker was merely creating space. He suddenly spins and fires!
"Suker spins and shoots!"
The Russian commentator gasps.
The ball flies straight toward the top right corner.
Clang! It smashes against the sharp edge of the post and goes out for a goal kick.
"Damn it!"
Suker curses.
Russia retreats to defend.
Croatian commentator Klaušević clutches his head in agony.
All across Croatia—in bars, homes—fans hold their heads.
Some even kneel on the floor.
At the same time, Russian commentators break into cold sweat.
That spin-shot from Suker sent chills down their backs.
Just that close!
God help us!
"Suker continues to pound the defense. Russia's backline is collapsing inward. They're relying on fouls to stop him—because they cannot afford to let him get close to goal!"
"Suker earns yet another set piece—Croatia's third of the half!"
Modrić to take it!
The ball curves in toward the center.
Mandžukić leaps, heads!
The Russian keeper stretches to tip it away!
Croatia corner!
Again, Modrić takes it.
Mandžukić wins the aerial again and passes to Olić!
Olić shoots furiously—
Just wide of the post!
Time ticks to the 80th minute—Russia brings on two more defenders to reinforce the back.
Suker, aside from his dribbling, isn't involved much in aerial duels.
He hopes Mandžukić can keep drawing attention.
Croatia launches endless crosses into the box.
Mandžukić keeps leaping, battling for headers.
Threatening every time—but Russia holds strong.
After another leap, Mandžukić lands and leans on his knees, gasping hard.
Anyone would be exhausted after so many jumps in a short time.
"Suker still battering the defense! Mandžukić battling aerially! In the dying moments, the Croatian lads have not given up—they are fighting for that equalizer!"
Commentator Klaušević glances nervously at the game—and the match clock.
90 minutes!
We enter stoppage time.
Three minutes added!
"Push up! Push up! Šimunić come up to contest!"
Suker waves his arms frantically.
There's no point in keeping Šimunić back—might as well use his height to fight for headers.
With Šimunić up, Croatia's aerial threat increases.
"Croatia with back-to-back corners—Russia must hold on!"
The Russian commentator can barely breathe.
With full time looming, no one can guarantee anything.
Croatian fans at home stare breathlessly.
Watching their players leap and fight for every ball—the urgency grows with each passing second.
"Final minute of stoppage time!"
Croatian commentator Klaušević's voice turns dejected.
But on the field, Suker keeps fighting.
With quick changes of direction, Suker shakes his marker—and just as he's about to break through, he's pulled down again.
He jumps up immediately.
"Don't argue! Don't start fights!" Suker shouts. "There's no time!"
The Croatian players snap into focus.
"All up!"
Suker signals.
"Everyone get up here—except the keeper, everyone fight for this!"
This may be their final attack.
They must commit everything.
Losing by one or two—it's all the same!
Goal difference can be earned against weaker teams.
But in this heavyweight group clash—you can't let the win slip away!
Except the keeper and Modrić…
Almost the entire Croatian squad gathers at the edge of the penalty arc.
This is their last chance.
They'll give everything.
At this moment, fans of both teams are gripped by unbearable tension.
The entire Luzhniki Stadium falls silent.
Whistle!
Modrić takes a deep breath and swings in the ball.
The box is packed—no perfect target.
He lofts it in toward the crowd—it's up to the teammates now.
Both teams surge toward the ball.
Just then, Suker stops running.
He pulls back slightly and looks up—
At that moment, Mandžukić—already airborne—sees Suker.
"If at the decisive moment, you had to pass to one player to win the game—who would it be?"
Someone once asked Mandžukić that.
He hadn't even hesitated—
"SUKER!!!—"
Mandžukić roars, leans back slightly, and despite the pressure, heads the ball toward the retreating Suker.
"Mandžukić wins the header again—he sends it back to Suker!"
In that instant, all eyes turn to Suker.
The ball drops gently.
Suker takes a quick step, adjusts, and volleys the rising ball.
Like a spear of ice, it rips through the air—
And tears into Russia's goal!
The net ripples!
Suker turns to look at the referee.
He pauses—
Then points to the center circle.
WHISTLE!—
"IT'S TIED!!!!!!!!—"
Suker throws back his head and roars.
Mandžukić's eyes go wide—and a joyful grin spreads across his face.
Modrić opens his arms and charges toward Suker.
Srna, Vukojević, Olić, Šimunić, Šimić—everyone sprints to him.
"AAAAAH~~~~~ EQUALIZED!!!"
"It's tied! Goddammit, it's tied!!"
"YES!! YES!!"
"They tied it!!!"
The Croatian players pile on, screaming and shouting.
Releasing all their pent-up pressure.
And at the same time—Croatia erupts.
"GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!——"
Klaušević leaps from his seat and bellows.
His roar goes on and on—his face flushes red, veins bulging.
Catching his breath, he yells again:
"SUKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!——"
"Croatia on the brink of defeat!"
"A stoppage-time equalizer!!"
"Suker scores a priceless goal!!"
"He earns a draw on foreign soil!!"
"Well done!"
"Beautifully done!!"
"These are Croatia's warriors—they didn't fall at the Luzhniki Stadium—they fought till the very last second!"
"A stoppage-time goal—the ultimate reward!!"