Why call it an upgrade? Because Leo Lin's running ability is even stronger than Pirlo's.
At least in those first three explosive steps.
Derek Rae thought so, but didn't say it out loud.
Because saying it would sound too unbelievable.
That was Pirlo.
A true, top-tier midfield master.
Let alone calling someone an upgraded version, any young player labeled "Little Pirlo" would already be considered among the elite.
And yet, after playing the ball out from the back, Leo Lin burst forward, quickly taking up position in the attacking third. He received a pass from David Silva and, together with Thiago, created a two-on-one situation.
It all happened just like that.
Southgate was urgently searching for a solution. England's diamond pressing structure had been thrown into chaos by this sudden shift, this upgraded role from a withdrawn attacking midfielder. Leo Lin looked like someone who didn't belong to this match at all.
Because the tactical ideas he was displaying were simply too advanced, too modern.
This cutting-edge style made Leo Lin look like he was playing a completely different kind of football from everyone else on the pitch.
61st minute.
"England make a substitution."
"Liverpool full-back Arnold comes on for Trippier."
"Leicester City's underdog hero Vardy replaces Sterling."
"Southgate makes a double change. He clearly senses the danger."
"Leo Lin's sudden tactical shift and role upgrade have completely tilted the balance. Spain now have the upper hand both in score and in control of the game."
"If this problem isn't solved, England will be going home. And so will football!"
Hierro stayed patient and made no changes. The current setup was working perfectly. There was no need to force adjustments. Doing so might only backfire.
Play resumes.
Spain's backline maintained Zubizarreta's preferred pyramid-shaped defensive structure, while the attack revolved entirely around Leo Lin. He helped teammates position themselves, offered passing options, and organized the team's attacking routes with precision.
67th minute.
"After the substitutions, England's attack is now mainly focused on the right flank. Arnold is very active. He wants to prove himself in the remaining time."
"Stones plays it to Henderson. Under pressure, Henderson doesn't dwell on the ball and quickly moves it wide to Arnold. A Liverpool connection."
But the Liverpool combination didn't stop there. Arnold looked to switch play diagonally toward Kane up front.
Leo Lin read it early, intercepting the pass cleanly.
That completed the Liverpool trio connection. The only issue was that Leo Lin wasn't on Henderson and Arnold's side.
"Another interception by Leo Lin. He drives forward through the middle, launching a counterattack at pace!"
"There's space in England's backline. Thiago is pushing up again!"
"The two face Henderson. Leo Lin plays it across!"
"Thiago!"
"One touch to set himself, a feint shot, cuts it back, and returns it to Leo Lin!"
"There's a chance!"
"Bang!"
"Leo Lin goes for a long-range strike, but Maguire blocks it!"
"Still a chance. Leo Lin follows up with another shot!"
"Pickford tips it over the bar with one hand. Brilliant!"
"Outstanding save!"
"England's defense is hanging by a thread. Danger is everywhere in their backline. It feels like Spain could score again at any moment."
"Spain have completely opened things up!"
"Their new tactical approach in the second half has fully unleashed the attacking power of Spain's midfield. Diego Costa has shifted from being a goal scorer in previous matches to a selfless facilitator."
"Alongside Asensio and David Silva, he's playing a supporting role up front, completely freeing Spain's midfield to attack."
Spain were playing something entirely new. Something very new.
England had held on for over ten minutes in the second half, but they still couldn't figure out what Spain were actually doing.
Especially Leo Lin in the center. He seemed to be everywhere, influencing play both deep and high up the pitch.
72nd minute.
Leo Lin once again dropped quickly back to his defensive line to help build play.
Henderson followed him closely, even leaving England's defensive area. He was practically playing as an attacking midfielder just to track him.
But that only triggered another tactical shift from Spain.
De Gea launched a long ball from the back, finding Thiago pushing forward.
Leo Lin didn't touch the ball this time, but his movement had already done the job. By dropping deep, he created space for Thiago to receive.
The moment Thiago controlled the ball, Leo Lin had already started his run.
Henderson reacted immediately, but he couldn't match Leo Lin's pace. He was quickly left behind by Leo Lin's off-the-ball movement.
Alli and Lingard, Kane and Vardy. Almost every England player was sprinting back to defend.
They didn't know what else to do. This was the only way they could try to stop Spain.
Thiago decisively played it square to Leo Lin. The moment Leo Lin controlled it, Vardy immediately grabbed him.
"Another yellow card for Vardy. He's only just come on."
"Another booking!"
"I've lost count of how many yellow cards England have picked up trying to stop Leo Lin. Playing on a yellow will inevitably affect their performance."
Leo Lin was pulled back. The referee blew for the foul. The ball remained under his foot.
He looked up and saw Diego Costa already preparing to make his run.
A sharp pass.
Before the whistle even sounded, Leo Lin had already played the through ball.
A quick free kick.
England's midfield and defense hadn't even reacted yet after the foul.
Leo Lin's quick restart sliced straight through England's backline, threading between Stones and Kyle Walker.
Diego Costa, already set in motion, burst into the box, collected the ball, and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Face to face with the keeper.
A step-over to the right, then an explosive cut to the left. Costa rounded the onrushing Pickford and calmly slotted it into the empty net.
A composed finish.
"Holy!!!"
"What a goal!!!"
"Diego Costa scores!!!"
"Explosiveness. Heavy Metal strikes again!"
"Three to one. Spain lead by two goals!"
"Leo Lin's brilliant quick free kick sets up Diego Costa!"
"No protests from the England players. They know it's a perfectly valid goal."
"They can only blame themselves for losing focus. This is the World Cup. You simply cannot afford mistakes like that!"
"Leo Lin is too clever. Far too clever!" Casillas looked at him, already gearing up to praise.
"Lin, what he's shown in just these few minutes of the second half is what modern football looks like at its most advanced level."
"He fully embodies an ultra-modern football philosophy. His football intelligence is extraordinary!"
"Football has been evolving for a long, long time. But I have a feeling Lin will become a defining figure of the next era of ultra-modern football."
"He will be the flagbearer!"
...
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