June 5th, five days had passed since the last bet. Presumably, the betting companies had already recovered their capital and reaped a good harvest.
Eric swirled his red wine glass, leisurely sat down in front of his computer, and thought, since the betting companies had already cut one batch, it was time for him to cut a batch.
Moreover, Warren and those guys were enjoying themselves outside, spending his money for fun every day, and even teasing him occasionally.
"My money!"
The most hateful was Judy, that girl. She sent him a bunch of selfies, all in two-piece bikinis, surrounded by beautiful Latin-style women, embracing them left and right, having a great time.
"Damn it, if we weren't so close, and if you weren't a lesbian, I would have already made you stand tall!" Eric took a sip of wine, thinking resentfully.
He opened his computer and posted a command on MSN.
"Wake up, everyone. Today is betting day. It's time to make those casinos bleed a little."
Warren sent an excited emoji: "Is it happening? We've been waiting for you for days. There are three games today, which one are we betting on?"
"Our target is the second game, which is the United States against Portugal."
Billy: "Tell me, brother, how much will Portugal win by? My entire fortune is in!"
Billy's mindset also represented the American mindset. They knew what their national football level was like, so they had no confidence in their own national team.
But the result was an upset; the US team actually won.
So, as the famous saying in football goes: the ball is round, anything is possible.
Eric: "No, you're wrong. We're betting on the United States to win."
Judy immediately sent a horrified emoji: "Wait, although the school teaches us to be patriotic, patriotism doesn't mean we have to go against money. Even the Bush family is ruthlessly exploiting the country."
"I haven't just been eating, drinking, and having fun these past few days. I've also studied football a bit. Portugal is a favorite to win the World Cup, with a bunch of big-name stars. They are the golden generation."
"And what is our US team? They're all rotten fish and shrimp. Combined, they're not even worth one of their thighs. This will be a massacre!"
Bordeaux: "I agree with Judy. This isn't American football, nor is it basketball. In football, the United States is trash."
Eric had anticipated their opposition and calmly typed on his keyboard: "I understand football better than you. Think about the first game, did anyone think France would lose?"
"What's more, this is my money. I won't joke around with my own money, and only betting on an upset can help me earn more money in a short time. Listen to me and follow orders."
Judy: "Alright, since you said so, it's your money anyway, but I'm not following."
Billy: "I'm not following either."
Bordeaux: "Then I'll pass too."
Warren: "Aren't you two brothers going to hedge? Anyway, I only have a thousand dollars. If it's gone, it's gone. If you don't follow, I will."
Portugal, on the other hand, was the opposite. Figo, Rui Costa, Beto, and others—who among them wasn't famous? They looked like a sure win, even a World Cup-winning team.
Under Eric's command, nearly 30 million dollars were sent to various betting companies.
The reason it was 30 million and not 900 million was that these companies couldn't handle it.
Betting companies weren't fools. To prevent major upsets, they all set betting limits. This was the maximum that could be bet, and 30 million was already the limit.
Currently, all reputable and accessible betting companies on the market had been bet on by Eric and his four companions. As for those underground ones, they were unreliable and would run away if they couldn't afford to lose.
As soon as the referee's whistle blew, the five people, scattered across the world, simultaneously turned their attention to the TV screen.
The result: just 4 minutes into the game, the US team delivered a resounding slap to everyone who had underestimated them.
The player wearing jersey number 20 powerfully headed the ball towards the goal, and Portugal's goalkeeper, Baia, barely managed to block it.
But the ball did not move away from the dangerous area. Just then, US player number 5 rushed in from the side and volleyed with his left foot. The ball went into the net, making the score 1:0 instantly. This was also the fastest goal in the World Cup so far.
For a moment, the stadium paused, the whole world paused, and Judy, Billy, and Bordeaux were also stunned. Only Eric and Warren were beaming.
Judy: "Damn it! I suddenly regret it. Is the US team really that strong?"
Billy: "Impossible. If the US team were really strong, would we still be called a football desert?"
Warren sent a mocking emoji: "I warned you guys early on, following Eric's bets is absolutely right. Guys, remember to learn your lesson."
The rest of the match was largely the same as before. Portugal seemed to be sleepwalking, like they hadn't woken up, with their offense not looking like an offense and their defense not looking like a defense, constantly being threatened by the US team.
When the match reached the 30th minute, both sides fell into a chaotic scramble, and US player number 21 kicked a cross.
Unexpectedly, the ball hit Costa's back of the head during its flight, then took a bizarre deflection and went straight towards the goal.
No matter how experienced Baia was, he couldn't have predicted such an odd trajectory. The football entered the net again. In just half an hour, the score was rewritten to 2:0.
At this moment, not only was Portugal stunned, but even the US player number 21 who shot the ball was bewildered. He intended to pass, not shoot. How did it become a goal by accident? And an own goal at that.
Then Beto was given a yellow card for diving, which again drew dissatisfaction from the others.
Billy: "This referee is too lenient. He should give him a red card!"
Warren: "This kind of behavior is against the spirit of sports. This guy should be sent off."
Eric thought, what do you guys know? You just yell blindly. Basketball is also full of diving, falling at the slightest touch. This referee didn't take any bribes.
The US team, having scored another goal, continued their fierce attack. Just seven minutes later, the US team once again broke into the penalty area. Costa and Couto were still sleepwalking, and the US team scored another goal. Before the first half even ended, they were already up 3:0.
At this moment, not only was the world shocked, but the major betting companies were also feeling a chill in their hearts.
A huge upset, an absolute huge upset. This match would make them spit out all the money they earned in the past few days. Who knows how many more people would end up on the rooftop.
On MSN, the four guys were overjoyed, but then the thing they were worried about happened.
After conceding three consecutive goals, Portugal seemed to finally wake up. Two minutes later, Beto successfully scored, pulling one goal back, letting the four know that this guy wasn't just good at diving. Of course, this again drew a barrage of curses.
For the rest of the time, Portugal began a furious attack, while the US team defended with all their might, making everyone incredibly tense.
It wasn't until the 70th minute that Portugal also scored an own goal, changing the score to 3:2. The whole stadium erupted in cheers instantly, as there was still plenty of time left in the match, and hope was high.
Warren: "FUCK! Damn it, what's wrong with this number 12? Does he even know how to play football?"
Bordeaux: "Damn Americans, we bring in so many talents every year, why don't we bring in a few star players?"
Eric: "I don't think it's that they don't want to bring them in, but rather that this desert can't attract them. They only choose to retire in the United States when they're almost done with their careers."
"Uh..."
The match continued, and both sides engaged in an even more intense offensive and defensive battle. Warren exclaimed that his heart couldn't take it, after all, he had bet 1000 dollars.
Eric, however, watched the screen calmly. The outcome of the match was already sealed.
Sure enough, the moment the final whistle blew, the intense wailing of the four could be heard from the speakers.
3:2, the US team pulled off a huge upset, defeating Portugal. He seemed to hear the sound of gold coins falling.