"Leo Lin drives forward with the ball, picking up speed!"
"He's closing in on the penalty area—Spain have a favorable four-on-four up front!"
Leo Lin dribbled while scanning the pitch, constantly turning his head from side to side, searching for space.
Ferran Torres made the smartest run, while Ruiz dropped back to provide cover.
Ferran Torres burst through the channel, and Leo Lin made an instant decision, delicately chipping the ball into the box!
"What a pass!"
"A perfectly weighted ball over the top—Ferran Torres brings it down!"
"One-on-one!"
"He shoots!!!"
"Beautiful!!!" Derek Rae roared!
"Ferran Torres doesn't waste the chance!"
"That finish was superb—it reminds me of the Golden Boy Torres!"
"Spain take the lead just before halftime!"
"Leo Lin's pass was pure magic!"
"It dropped into the one spot the goalkeeper couldn't reach, giving Ferran Torres a clean look at goal!"
Ferran Torres was ecstatic after scoring. He dropped to one knee and gestured for Leo Lin to place his right foot on his knee, breaking out the classic shoe-shine celebration.
Denia was thrilled. Going into the second half with a one-goal advantage significantly boosted Spain's chances of advancing.
The remaining minutes of the first half ticked away, and the match headed into halftime.
"They'll definitely change their approach in the second half."
"In every group-stage match Mali played, once they were behind after the break, they turned up the physical pressure."
"So we need even more grit in the second half."
As Denia spoke, his eyes were fixed squarely on Leo Lin.
There was no question about it. When it came to toughness, resilience, and sheer backbone, the man sitting in the center of the locker room wearing the number ten shirt—Leo Lin—stood above everyone else.
The second half began, and events unfolded exactly as Denia had anticipated.
Mali's midfield launched wave after wave of aggressive challenges, pressing relentlessly. The intense physical battles disrupted Spain's attacking rhythm.
And at that moment, Leo Lin stepped forward like a god of war.
"Doucouré surges through the middle, charging straight ahead at pace!"
"Leo Lin is chasing—comes in from the side and muscles Doucouré off the ball!"
"Both are young players, but Leo Lin looks like he's telling Doucouré: I've handled this kind of physicality in the Premier League—why would I be afraid of you?"
63rd minute!
"Three-man press through the middle!"
"Leo Lin shields the ball stubbornly, refuses to lose it, and lays it back to Antonio, who pushes it out to the right!"
"Ferran Torres has space—he drives forward!"
"Down the right flank, then a long diagonal to the left!"
"Gómez controls it and sends in the cross!"
"The cutback!!!"
Gomez pulled it back toward the edge of the box. Leo Lin, arriving late, shook off Doucouré and struck it first time from the top of the arc!
"Bang!!!"
The ball slammed into a defender with a heavy thud and bounced straight back to Leo Lin.
He followed it up immediately—
A second burst, a thunderous strike!
Like a venomous snake snapping forward!
Straight toward the bottom-left corner!
"Whoosh!!!"
"Hahahaha!" Derek Rae burst out laughing.
"Leo Lin scores! He scores! He scores!"
"Two–nil!"
"Spain are in complete control now—they've totally suppressed Mali!"
"This performance proves they are genuine title contenders!"
After scoring, Leo Lin exploded with emotion. He sprinted to the sideline, planted a foot on the advertising boards, and leapt up.
Ferran Torres rushed in behind him, lifting him up once more—another signature, domineering celebration that radiated confidence.
The Spanish fans went completely insane!
"He's the embodiment of miracles! The reincarnation of a war god! He is… he is…"
"He's directly involved in both goals. If Spain reach the semifinals, the quarterfinal MVP has to be Lin!"
"Spain were favorites to begin with, but I honestly didn't expect much. With Lin playing like this, my confidence is through the roof!"
In the stands, Lopetegui looked utterly satisfied as Barnett, seated beside him, handed him a beer.
"Spain's midfield is too old right now. We need a young player who can provide firepower."
As he spoke, Barnett produced a premium Cuban cigar—once again showcasing the instincts of a top-tier agent.
"He really fits," Lopetegui said with a nod. Only then did Barnett let out a long breath of relief.
In Barnett's eyes, playing in the World Cup was absolutely crucial for Leo Lin.
Once play resumed, the match fell entirely under Spain's control.
Possession tilted heavily in their favor, at times reaching an 80–20 split. Mali could only touch the ball when clearing it away or briefly winning it back while stopping Spanish attacks.
At last, the referee blew the final whistle!
Derek Rae sounded delighted.
"The match is over, dear fans!"
"Mali are heading out—they gave everything they had."
"We can see many young players in tears, but they deserve to leave with their heads held high!"
"Spain march on, with Leo Lin still conducting his midfield symphony!"
"I don't know if Spain will lift the trophy."
"I don't know how Leo Lin will develop in three years, or five."
"But what I do know is this—Leo Lin has been the best performer of this U17 World Cup so far!"
"I see limitless potential in him!"
"Fans, that's all from us for this match."
"In three days' time, the U17 World Cup semifinals—Spain versus France, another heavyweight clash!"
"I'll be right here to bring you the call, while the other semifinal sees England take on Croatia."
"The winners will meet in the final to battle for the highest honor of this U17 World Cup!"
The broadcast camera lingered on Leo Lin, who was named Man of the Match once again.
Doucouré immediately approached Leo Lin to exchange shirts, the two chatting as they walked off.
Leo Lin genuinely admired Doucouré. He knew that a midfielder with that style would one day carve out a place for himself in the Premier League.
Doucouré, meanwhile, looked at Leo Lin with stars in his eyes—he longed to become a midfielder just like him.
Before the broadcast ended, Spanish fans, Liverpool fans, and many others all watched with shining eyes.
Some especially fervent female fans stared at Leo Lin like hungry wolves or fierce tigers.
The moment they entered the locker room, Denia led the cheers. The young players shouted and celebrated, turning the room into a sea of joy.
Meanwhile, Leo Lin—named Player of the Match—was already being interviewed by reporters.
The interviewer was Tina, an English reporter with silver-dyed hair, nicknamed the "Most Alluring Journalist in Britain."
Facing Leo Lin, Tina's eyes were clearly filled with admiration.
"Leo, Spain have reached the semifinals of this U17 World Cup. Are you already looking ahead to lifting the trophy?"
Leo Lin smiled as he answered.
"It would be a lie to say I don't want to win the championship."
"There's no need for false modesty, but I don't want to be arrogant either."
"Based on my own ability and the strength of the team, I hold a calm but firm belief."
"Any team that wants to win the title will have to give two hundred percent against us."
"Because we are the strongest contenders for the championship."