**Chapter 7: Speed Demon**

The English national team's momentum was still riding high as they prepared to face their next opponents, Germany, in a highly anticipated match. Daniel was still basking in the glory of his two goals against Australia and the chance encounter with Emma, and he was eager to continue his good form. As the team took to the pitch, Daniel was feeling confident. He had been in top form lately, and he was determined to make a lasting impact on the tournament. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd cheering and waving flags. The match began, and England dominated the early stages, with Daniel causing problems for the German defense with his pace and skill. In the 10th minute, he got his first chance to score, but his shot was saved by the German goalkeeper. However, Daniel was not to be denied for long. In the 25th minute, he received a pass on the edge of the box, turned his defender inside, and unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the top corner of the net. The crowd erupted, and Daniel's teammates rushed to congratulate him on his goal. As the match wore on, Daniel continued to impress, beating defenders with ease and creating chances for his teammates. In the 60th minute, he scored his second goal of the match, a stunning strike from outside the box that sealed the win for England. But what happened next would go down in history. As Daniel celebrated his goal, he took off his shirt, revealing his chiseled abs to the crowd. Emma, who was watching from the stands, couldn't help but notice. Her breath hitched as she took in the sight of Daniel's physique, and she felt a flutter in her chest. Matthew Lewis and Rupert Grint, who were sitting next to Emma, burst out laughing. "Looks like someone's got a crush on Daniel," Matthew teased, nudging Emma playfully. Rupert chuckled in agreement, and Emma's face turned bright red. "Shut up, guys," Emma whispered, trying to play it cool. But she couldn't help but sneak another glance at Daniel, who was still celebrating his goal. As it turned out, Daniel's celebration was not just a moment of passion - it was also a historic moment. His speed and agility on the pitch had caught the attention of the officials, and it was announced that he had broken the record for the fastest runner in the world, clocking in at an incredible 27.8 kilometers per hour at just 20 years old. The crowd went wild, and Daniel's teammates mobbed him in celebration. Emma was beaming with pride, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and admiration for the young player. As the team made their way to the locker room, Daniel was met with a sea of congratulatory messages. He had broken records, and he had captured the hearts of fans everywhere, including Emma's. The win against Germany sent England through to the next stage of the tournament, where they would face Wales in the quarterfinals. The team was ecstatic, and Daniel's performance had cemented his place as one of the stars of the tournament. The next day, Daniel and his teammates were gearing up for their next match against Wales in the quarterfinals, but little did he know that his next match would be even tougher, and against a team that he had never managed to beat. Wales, known for their cunning and resilient style of play, had been causing upsets in the tournament so far. They were a dark horse, and Daniel knew that England would have to be at their best to take them down. The team was confident, though, and Daniel was determined to lead them to victory. As he took to the field for their next match, he knew that this was going to be a challenge unlike any other. England's manager, Gareth Southgate, gathered his team for a pre-match talk before they faced Wales. "We've done it before, and we can do it again," he said. "But this match will be different. Wales has a great team, and they're not to be underestimated." Daniel nodded, his eyes fixed on the task ahead. He had been in top form lately, but he knew that this match would be different. Wales was a team that prided itself on its defense, and Daniel would have to be at his best to break them down. The two teams faced off, and the match began. Daniel was a force to be reckoned with, but he knew that this would be his toughest challenge yet. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the whistle blew, and the match was underway. England's starting lineup was announced, and Daniel was up for the challenge. He was ready to give it his all and help his team progress to the next stage of the tournament. As he took to the field, Daniel felt a surge of adrenaline. He knew that this match would be different from the ones he had played so far. The stakes were higher, and the competition was fierce. The referee blew his whistle, and the match began. Daniel was off to a great start, but he knew that he had to keep his focus and lead his team to victory.