Chapter 359: The Best! Vukojević!

Bang!

Vukojević once again executed a tackle on Benayoun.

"Vukojević decisively steps in with a tackle — Israel's last two attacks have both been broken up by him. Since the start of the season, his performances have been increasingly outstanding. He's now an indispensable defensive pillar for Lyon's midfield!"

Vukojević stood up with the ball, using his body to shield off Benayoun's aggressive press. As the pressure intensified, he suddenly jutted out his backside, shoving the Israeli off balance.

Then, Vukojević bypassed Rakitić and directly slotted the ball to Šuker up front.

"Solid, man!"

Šuker gave Vukojević a thumbs-up after receiving and distributing the pass.

Lately, Vukojević had been excelling both at club and national levels.

A series of league and European matches with Lyon had provided invaluable experience for him.

There was pressure, sure — but that pressure was also a driving force in Vukojević's growth.

Under such repeated stress, his defensive prowess had developed tremendously.

To put it bluntly:

Benayoun just wasn't capable of applying the kind of pressure Vukojević had faced in European competition — and that's exactly why Vukojević was playing with such confidence and composure.

"Hold your line! Rakitić, be decisive with your passing!"

"Backline, stay alert — if someone gets past me, shut it down immediately, and let me chase back!"

Vukojević was constantly organizing the defense.

His progress wasn't limited to individual skills — his leadership on defense was also rising.

Previously, Vukojević was more of a silent player — focused on his own game, rarely speaking unless it was to shout in frustration.

But now, he hadn't stopped talking since the match began — constantly communicating, relaying intel, helping his teammates make better decisions.

This made Croatia's defense far more solid.

"Lyon has forged a highly efficient defensive midfielder for us." Coach Bilić was all smiles.

After all, any team would be thrilled to have such a midfield enforcer.

With Vukojević anchoring things, Croatia's half of the field was rock solid.

"This guy's really that solid?"

On the bench, Dujmović looked like he'd seen a ghost.

Vukojević's performance had him stunned.

Since the match began, the guy hadn't made a single mistake.

That Israeli captain Benayoun kept slamming into Vukojević and losing out every time.

Benayoun went on another run with the ball.

This time, he was drenched in sweat.

But standing ahead of him, Vukojević had already lowered his center of gravity, ready to pounce.

Benayoun dribbled forward, cautiously approaching.

Vukojević patiently backpedaled, waiting for the right moment.

As they got closer, Benayoun couldn't take it anymore.

He poked the ball to the side.

Right then, Vukojević burst forward and inserted himself between Benayoun and the ball.

Benayoun slammed into his back, grabbing at his shirt in frustration, trying to win it back.

But Vukojević didn't give him the chance, muscling through and sweeping the ball to Šuker.

Benayoun spun around and charged at Šuker.

Šuker watched the ball calmly, not rushing to receive it.

As Benayoun closed in, Šuker gently tapped it sideways.

Benayoun turned — and there was Vukojević, thundering in and pushing the ball forward with the inside of his foot.

The ball was played perfectly to the right flank where Olić was waiting.

And still, Vukojević didn't stop — charging ahead like a man possessed.

"Croatia on the counterattack! Vukojević initiates a brilliant breakaway!"

Olić turned on the jets down the wing, dragging the full-back with him.

Meanwhile, Vukojević surged through the half-space. Benayoun was chasing, but couldn't keep up.

Olić, nearing the byline, suddenly stopped and turned to pass the ball into the half-space.

Vukojević met it and instantly passed into the penalty area.

"Watch Mandžukić!"

Benayoun screamed while sprinting back.

The Israeli defenders immediately moved to contain Mandžukić.

Mandžukić received the ball with his back to goal and laid it off.

"Šuker!!! What a setup from Mandžukić!"

Croatian commentator Kraljević exclaimed, "They're in chaos — this is our moment!"

All eyes turned to Šuker.

Šuker wound up as if to shoot.

The Israeli center-backs surged forward to block.

But just then, Šuker chipped the ball delicately over the defenders.

It dropped right onto the edge of the six-yard box.

Mandžukić stormed in and struck it with his right foot.

Swish!

The ball rippled the net.

Kraljević immediately looked at the linesman — no flag. Then to the ref.

The ref pressed his earpiece, listened for a moment, then pointed to the center circle.

"GOAL STANDS! No offside! That was a fantastic piece of teamwork! Just 13 minutes into the first half, Croatia takes the lead!"

"A team goal through and through!"

"Even without Modrić, we produced a spectacular counterattack!"

"And Vukojević — what a surprise! From the initial interception to launching the counter — he was the key man. Sure, Šuker and Mandžukić's coordination in the box was excellent, but the credit for this attack belongs to Vukojević!"

Kraljević cheered loudly.

On the pitch, Šuker and Mandžukić rushed toward Vukojević and tackled him to the ground.

"Counterattack, vision, execution — you nailed it!" Šuker laughed, rubbing Vukojević's head.

Mandžukić beamed, "You're insane! Did God bless you or something?"

Šuker snapped, "God my ass — this guy's clearly been secretly training!"

Vukojević grinned wide, "Was that badass or what?"

"Hell yeah!"

Šuker raised two thumbs up.

Over on the bench, coach Bilić looked surprised.

"Vukojević's performance is incredible. I didn't expect him to be this good at launching counters."

No response.

He turned his head.

There sat assistant coach Van Šterjak, kneeling on one leg, furiously scribbling in a notebook on his thigh.

Clearly, Vukojević's emergence as a passing outlet had sparked some ideas.

On the bench, Dujmović stared blankly at the pitch.

Damn it!

How were all these guys changing so much?

Forget Šuker and Modrić.

Mandžukić had developed into a proper target man.

Pranjić was now a solid defensive full-back — a starter in one of the top five leagues.

And now Vukojević had added playmaking to his arsenal.

In just one season, these guys were starting to feel like strangers.

Each of them had mastered a new skill!

And him?

Dujmović blinked.

Aside from long shots, he still didn't have much to offer.

"Being friends with these guys, this is just…"

He had no words to describe how he felt.

Back on the pitch, Croatia had struck first.

The Israeli players looked grim.

They'd conceded on home soil — and in such dazzling fashion.

From the moment Croatia's counter began, they hadn't managed to interfere at all.

Everyone had focused on the charging Vukojević, and overlooked Šuker.

When they thought Šuker would shoot — he passed instead.

Unstoppable!

The Israeli players retrieved the ball from their net and returned to midfield.

Watching the Croatian players grinning as they jogged back to their half, their expressions turned even more serious.

They knew this would be a tough game.

But they hadn't expected to go down so early.

Now the pressure was on.

After this match, they had to play England away.

Two losses in a row would ruin their great position in the Euro qualifying group.

At the very least, they had to draw today.

Meanwhile, Croatia's players were energized.

Their fighting spirit surged, and their eyes practically lit up when they looked toward the Israeli goal.

Pressure.

Immense pressure.

Compared to the Russians, Croatia exerted even greater pressure.

Their defense aside — the Croatian counterattack was enough to keep the Israelis on edge.