"The added time has ended. At the end of 90 minutes of regulation, Croatia and Germany are tied 2–2. The match will now enter extra time!"
"There will be two halves of fifteen minutes each — this is the final chance for both Croatia and Germany. If no winner emerges, we'll head to a brutal penalty shootout!"
Krausevic was gasping for air.
The last ten minutes had been incredibly intense.
Both sides had gone all out trying to win in regulation time, but neither could find the decisive goal.
Ninety minutes had passed with both sides scoring twice, taking the match into injury time.
The players returned to their respective benches.
With a very short break, they didn't head back to the locker rooms but instead rested on the sidelines.
The German players were so exhausted that many simply collapsed onto the ground.
They panted heavily.
Even the German players were bewildered — after such a relentless offensive pace, how was Croatia still hanging on, and seemingly in better shape?
So the rumors about Eastern Europeans were true — they're all built like oxen.
The Croatian players formed a circle around coach Van Stajak to hear the tactical instructions.
Suker squatted on the ground, stretching his legs.
Others occasionally glanced at him — despite the full 90 minutes, Suker's breathing seemed even more steady.
"Stamina is our advantage. This is do-or-die time — we must go on the attack!" said Van Stajak.
Suker suddenly raised his hand and declared, "Like a dog chasing a frisbee — just loft it forward. I'll handle the rest!"
With the German team visibly fatigued, this was the perfect moment for Suker to strike.
He didn't want the match to go to penalties — he had to finish it in extra time.
After all, the penalty shootout was too unpredictable.
Besides...
In his entire career, Suker had never played in a penalty shootout!
Never!
On the other side, Germany was also discussing tactics.
"Our offense is working, but defense is key. Scoring early in extra time is crucial — whoever scores first gains control. As for Suker, feel free to use fouls if necessary!"
By now, Löw had abandoned hope of containing Suker by conventional means.
His players simply couldn't do it anymore.
So he resorted to unconventional measures — whatever it took, Suker had to be stopped.
The German players nodded firmly.
The short break ended quickly, and both teams returned to the field.
Croatia kicked off.
Suker and Petric stood at the center circle, ready.
Suker kept jumping in place.
The German players winced watching this — What the hell is this stamina freak!?
They were already feeling cramps from all the running — their calves trembling.
And yet Suker was still bouncing like a spring.
In the VIP box, Mourinho leaned forward, fully engrossed.
Both Croatia and Germany were delivering top-tier performances — from players' execution to coaching tactics and substitutions.
That's what made the match so thrilling.
But now that the match had entered extra time, Germany's edge was fading — stamina was Croatia's strength!
WHISTLE!
The match resumed.
As soon as the ball was kicked off, Suker sprinted forward, locking in on the German center-backs.
Mertesacker watched Suker warily.
Just then, Modric received the ball and launched a lob forward.
Suker moved to receive it, but suddenly — three German players surrounded him.
"What the hell?"
Suker froze.
A three-man wall prevented him from getting the ball.
Mertesacker shoved him from behind as Suker planted his feet, stabilized, and controlled the ball with his right foot.
Before Schweinsteiger could clear it, Suker twisted and fired a shot.
BANG!Neuer barely managed to tip it out for a corner.
"Right after kickoff, Suker turns and fires — that was dangerously close!"
The German commentator was rattled.
Croatia won a corner.
Simunic came up to contest it.
Modric delivered the cross — the ball soared into the box.
BANG!
Just as Suker prepared to jump, someone came bursting through the crowd.
Neuer made a heroic charge and punched the ball clear.
"Counterattack!!"
Neuer roared.
Podolski picked up the ball and sprinted forward.
Croatia's players were slow to retreat.
Kovac saw the unfolding danger, and after an internal struggle, made his move — lunging forward with a crunching slide tackle.
Podolski, already running on fumes, couldn't evade it.
Kovac slammed into Podolski's ankle, sending both man and ball flying.
WHISTLE!!
A shrill blast.
The referee rushed over and brandished a red card.
Just five minutes into extra time — Kovac was sent off.
The stadium exploded.
Croatian players protested fiercely, but the ref wouldn't budge.
Replay showed Kovac clearly caught Podolski's ankle.
"That was a last-resort tackle. If Podolski had kept going, Croatia's backline would've collapsed!"
Krausevic shook his head helplessly.
Now a man down, Croatia was forced to adjust.
Germany also had to make a substitution.
Podolski came off for Trochowski.
Croatia responded with Rakitic off, Kranjčar on.
Final formations:
Germany:
GK: Neuer
DEF: Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich, Jansen
MID: Kroos, Trochowski, Özil, Schweinsteiger
FW: Klose, Gómez
Croatia:
GK: Pletikosa
DEF: Ćorluka, Šimunić, Pranjić, Konezević
MID: Petrić, Kranjčar, Dujmović, Modrić
FW: Suker
Suker was nominally a forward, but now he dropped below midfield.
Croatia had no striker left — a forced striker-less formation.
A man down in extra time, it was a dire situation.
Then, in the 13th minute, Germany scored.
Off a corner, Gómez headed it home.
Croatia 2:3 Germany.
"GOAL! Gómez! A priceless goal! There's no more time! No more chances! Don't give Croatia ANY hope!"
"Victory belongs to Germany!!"
The German commentators roared.
To them, this was a match-winner.
Croatia's bench fell silent.
Suker wiped his mouth, staring at the celebrating Germans.
"From now on, everyone just boot it long!"
All eyes turned to him.
Suker took a deep breath.
"I'll get that goal back!"
Everyone stiffened.
The situation seemed bleak, but coming from Suker's mouth — it was oddly convincing.
"Understood. Don't bother tracking back anymore," Simunic nodded. "If we concede again, I'll retire on the spot!"
Suker grinned, "No need to retire. Leave it to me."
Second half of extra time — as expected, Germany bunkered deep.
They didn't even leave the box.
Their plan: park the bus and guard the lead.
"Suker's still pressing, but Germany's defense is airtight. They won't give him an inch to shoot!"
Krausevic's voice was solemn.
Croatia trailed by one and were a man down — this was as bad as it gets.
In the locker room, Kovac sat alone on the bench, dazed.
His red card had led to this situation.
But what choice did he have?
Let Podolski go free and the game would've been over.
He hung his head.
Was there still hope?
The TV continued playing commentary in the background.
On the pitch, Suker kept dribbling.
His feet were lightning-fast — the Germans were exasperated.
How does this guy still have energy?!
Tackling him was nearly impossible.
Suker was giving it everything he had.
"Just a bit more..."
A Marseille turn — he evaded Schweinsteiger's poke.
"One more step..."
BANG!
Kroos body-checked him.
"Damn it!"
Suker slammed the turf in frustration.
So close.
Two minutes later, Suker came back.
From the left, he began another angled run.
He wanted the perfect spot.
Even if he fell, it had to be in the right spot.
His eyes burned with determination.
Victory favors the prepared.
And he was prepared.
"Almost there..."
Again Kroos came at him.
Suker gritted his teeth — took a sudden burst forward.
WHISTLE!
Foul.
Croatia earned a promising free kick — 116th minute.
Only four minutes left.
"This might be Croatia's final chance. Can Modric deliver?"
Krausevic paused — he saw Suker taking the ball from Modric and placing it at the spot.
"Suker's taking it? He has this skill?!"
Krausevic was stunned.
Modric was Croatia's #1 free-kick taker.
Dujmović asked, "Why'd you give it to him?"
Modric replied, "Just trust him."
Suker had only said one thing when he asked Modric for the ball:
"Trust me."
And Modric did.
Suker stood at the spot. Every Croatian fan held their breath.
He rolled up his shorts, exposing his muscular legs.
Hands on hips, he stared at Germany's goal.
One chance.
Only those who seize it become legends.
Suker had seized every opportunity to reach this point.
He wouldn't let this one go.
Why was he so confident?
[Diamond Card – Skill Type: Juninho's Free Kicks!]
He'd drawn this during the Portugal match.
His first diamond skill card — the other being [Kanté's Awareness].
He had planned to absorb it later, but after 90 minutes, he equipped it.
Waiting for the perfect moment.
That moment was now.
"Suker's free kick — can he level the score for Croatia?!"
Krausevic's voice echoed across Croatia.
Zagreb, Times Square.
Crowds of Croatian fans stared at the big screen.
His eyes were sharp. His presence resolute.
Fans instinctively clasped their hands in prayer.
On the roadways, cars halted, traffic backed up.
Drivers looked up at the screen — no one honked.
Everyone was focused — TV, radio, wherever they could.
Four million Croatians. Every eye and every hope on Suker.
He started his run-up.
Many fans closed their eyes — they couldn't bear to watch.
But others stared straight ahead — they believed.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Their hearts pounded with Suker's footsteps.
BANG!
He struck the ball.
"I won't blame him," muttered Kovac, eyes closed, hands covering his face. "Even if he misses... he's our hero."
Silence.
Then — the crowd erupted like a volcano.
WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Tens of thousands leapt into the air.
Scarves and confetti flew.
HONK HONK HONK HONK!!!
The streets blared with honking horns — drivers celebrating in place.
Croatia, from stillness to an explosion of joy.
Kovac looked up at the screen, mouth agape.
He had already accepted defeat.
But someone — had carried the flame of hope for him.
"GOOOAAAAAL!!!!"
"GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!!"
"Suker! That's Suker! A 116th-minute free kick goal!"
"Suker paints a rainbow in Johannesburg, at the Soccer City stadium — lighting the sky for Croatia!"
"When we needed him most, when someone had to stand tall, Suker did it!"
"The match isn't over! There's still hope!"
"Penalties are coming!"
"The disadvantage of being a man down disappears — we can now face Germany head-on!"
"Oh my God! This feels like a dream!"
Krausevic screamed wildly.
No Croatian could remain calm.
The entire stadium was in a frenzy.
They screamed and cried with joy.
Meanwhile, German fans held their heads.
What they thought was a game-winner — undone.
Croatia 3:3 Germany.Four minutes left.
Then, penalties.
Germany had the chance to seal the match.
But it slipped away.
Germany's bench was in shock.
Müller held his head, stunned.
"This can't be real…?"
Others looked like they had migraines.
This is Suker!
The perpetual problem — how do you stop him?
In Croatia's locker room…
The once gloomy Kovac ran around like a wild horse.
Jumping, yelling, fist-pumping.
A red card?A man down?
Didn't matter — not with a teammate this great!
Absolutely incredible!
Croatia had once again risen from the ashes.
"No way…"
Mendes's eyes widened — still in disbelief.
This was a World Cup quarterfinal.
A goal at this moment was priceless.
And Suker scored it.
Unbelievable.
Even Mourinho shook his head.
Suker kept smashing expectations.
Just when you thought he'd reached his limit — he revealed something new.
He alone dragged Croatia back into the game.
A free kick earned by Suker.
A free kick taken by Suker.
And a goal scored by Suker.
How could this not be one man's glory?
Germany was still powerful.
Mourinho believed that.
But after Croatia equalized — again — especially from that free kick?
Germany's confidence began to crack.
And that was the true value of Suker's goal.
Maybe — Croatia really could knock Germany out in penalties!