Chapter 12: The Battle Rages On

The players took to the field for extra time, determined to give it their all and emerge victorious. The crowd was electric, sensing that the match was going to go down to the wire. The English team and the Argentine team were evenly matched, and it seemed that neither team could gain the upper hand. The extra time period began, and both teams started cautiously, probing for weaknesses in each other's defense. The English team's midfielders, Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice, were working tirelessly to break up Argentine attacks, while the Argentine team's forwards, Sergio Aguero and Lautaro Martinez, were causing problems for the English defense. In the 105th minute, England's Daniel had a chance to score. He collected a pass on the edge of the box, turned his defender, and unleashed a shot that flew just wide of the post. The crowd gasped in disappointment, but the English team refused to give up. The Argentine team responded with a counter-attack, and Messi had a shot saved by Pickford. The rebound fell to Aguero, who blasted the ball over the bar. As the extra time period wore on, both teams were starting to tire. The players were giving it their all, but it seemed that neither team could find the energy to score. In the 115th minute, England's Raheem Sterling had a golden opportunity to score. He was one-on-one with the Argentine goalkeeper, and this time he made no mistake. He slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, and the crowd erupted in joy. But the Argentine team was not out of the match yet. They pushed forward, determined to equalize. In the 120th minute, they were rewarded for their efforts. A cross from the left wing found its way to the head of Martinez, who nodded the ball past Pickford. The match was tied at 1-1, and it was heading for penalties. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, sensing that the match was going to be decided by a shootout. The players took to the field, determined to give it their all and emerge victorious. The English team's goalkeeper, Pickford, was confident that he could save some shots and help his team win. The Argentine team's captain, Messi, stepped up to take the first penalty. Pickford watched intently as Messi approached the ball. He dived to his right, and Messi slotted the ball past him. The English team's Daniel stepped up to take the second penalty. He approached the ball confidently and slotted it past the Argentine goalkeeper. The match was tied at 1-1, and it was going to come down to who could hold their nerve. The crowd was electric, sensing that the match was going to be decided by a few moments of bravery. The English team's players were focused, determined to win the match and lift the trophy. They had come so far, and now they were just a few moments away from achieving their dream.