44:08 on the clock.
The stadium buzzed with impatience.United had the possession. The crowd had the hope.But the scoreboard?
Still frozen at 0 - 1.
๐ง SYSTEM QUEST STATUS
๐ฏ Quest: Strike Back Before Halftime
Time Remaining: 1 min + stoppage
Buff Active: Clutch Performerโ All critical-action stats +10% for 90 seconds
Mateo's breath slowed.The chaos around him blurred.This was it.
๐ UNITED BUILDS FROM THE BACK
Varane to Martรญnez.Out to Luke Shaw.
Mateo dropped from the right wing โ deep โ pulling both Zaรฏre-Emery and Moscardo with him.
Shaw spotted it.
A quick pass inside.
Mateo let the ball roll across his body.
One touch. Spin. Burst.
๐ฎ SYSTEM SKILL ACTIVATED
๐ Explosive First Step
โ Acceleration surge + precision body control
Status: ACTIVEDuration: 3 seconds
He split them.Zaรฏre-Emery tried to grab him โ too late.Moscardo lunged โ missed.
Old Trafford rose to its feet.
"Go on, Mateo!"
He was flying.
Midfield โ clear.Bruno made the supporting run.Rashford peeled left. Hรธjlund held the line.
Mateo didn't pass.
He carried it.
He drifted diagonally toward the box โ Hakimi tracking now, Donnarumma stepping up.
Then it happened.
๐ฏ SYSTEM SKILL CHAIN DETECTED
Activated: Creative Dribbling Lv.1+Activated: Finishing Instinct Lv.1
๐ฎ Combo Bonus: Signature Breakthrough Chain
Mateo faked the shot.Hakimi slid โ whiffed.
Another touch.Now he was square to goal.
One defender left โ Beraldo.
He chopped inside hard.Donnarumma tried to rushโฆ
Too late.
Mateo chipped it โ not high, not flashy.
Surgical. Precise. Deadly.
โฝ GOAL โ MANCHESTER UNITED1 - 1
๐งจ OLD TRAFFORD ERUPTS
The noise was thunder.The chants shook the rafters.
Mateo sprinted to the corner flag and dropped to one knee.Arms wide. Head up.
A moment.
His moment.
๐ COMMENTARY
"Thatโฆ is why the world calls him the new prince of Europe."
"He exploded through the press. Took them on. And finished with the calm of a surgeon."
"Donnarumma didn't even move."
๐ง SYSTEM REWARDS
โ Quest Completed: Strike Back Before Halftime
Buff: Emotional Anchor Reinforced
Confidence Surge: All core stats +2 (Temporary)
Hidden Tracker Progress: Golden Boy Ballot Impact +++
As he jogged back to midfield, Bruno slapped him on the back.
"You waited for your moment."
Mateo smirked.
"No. I made it."