The Greatest of all Time

652  A Surprisingly Self-Destructive England

The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow was fully packed with fans brimming with anticipation. They were all waiting to witness the historic World Cup semi-final game between England and Ivory Coast.

On one side stood the English team, a formidable array of talent donned in their pristine white jerseys. Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson, Kieran Trippier, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young, Raheem Sterling, and the highly clinical Harry Kane, among other talents, were ready to take on the challenge ahead. Meanwhile, on the opposite side, the Ivorian players, clad in their striking orange kits, were equally prepared. Among them were Eric Bailly, Zachary Bemba, Wilfried Zaha, and Nicolas Pépé, all poised and ready for the World Cup semi-final battle.

Seconds passed, and as the clock struck 9:00 PM, the referee's whistle sounded, signaling the start of the highly anticipated semi-final clash. Harry Kane, England's talismanic striker, booted the ball back to his midfield, kicking off the game. The fervent supporters of both teams immediately erupted in cheers and chants, the noise reverberating like thunder.

Jordan Henderson, England's defensive midfielder, received the ball from Kane before swiftly passing it to Ashley Young on the left wing. But the Ivorians were not content to sit back and watch England dominate them. They surged forward like a pack of wolves on the hunt, with Wilfried Zaha leading the charge in a high press. However, the English players remained composed in the face of the pressure. They quickly demonstrated their expertise and poise by calmly passing the ball within short to medium distances. They organized themselves into a 3-1-4-2 structure and retained control while aiming to initiate their offensive moves from the back.

Minutes ticked by with England dictating the tempo, their crisp passing and controlled play hinting at a strategy designed to wear down the Ivorians. But in the seventh minute, a shift in momentum occurred. Seeing an opportunity to breach the Ivorian midfield, Dele Alli drove forward, rushing from deep within midfield towards Ivory Coast's territory. However, his run was abruptly halted by Zachary Bemba, who read the play perfectly and forced Dele Alli to retreat. With the Ivorian press intensifying, Dele Alli played the ball back to Harry Maguire on the left side of the box.

The situation turned from bad to worse for England as Salomon Kalou, Ivory Coast's right winger for the night, was already hot on Maguire's heels, his high pressing adding to the mounting pressure on the defender. But Maguire sensed the danger and chose the safer route, passing the ball back to Jordan Pickford, the England goalkeeper. Everything seemed calm as the ball rolled toward the English goalkeeper, a routine maneuver meant to reset England's structure. But just suddenly, something unexpected unfolded in that instant.

It was Wilfried Zaha, who was lurking with predatory instincts, that took action. He seized the moment, and as the ball made its way to Pickford, he accelerated, appearing at the edge of the box as if from thin air.

The spectators collectively held their breath, the tension real and tangible as the unexpected situation caught everyone watching unawares. Even players of both teams watched with wide eyes as Zaha and Pickford sprinted toward the ball, eager to gain the advantage. But at the end of it all, Zaha's speed and anticipation gave him the edge.

Zaha eventually reached the ball first and controlled it deftly mid-stride. His first touch was immaculate, a slight nudge with the outside of his boot that barely allowed him to glide past Pickford with an elegance that belied the high stakes of the moment. With the English keeper now out of position and grasping at thin air, Zaha faced a tight angle, but his composure was unwavering. He raised his leg, and with a delicate chip, he sent the ball sailing into the back of the net to score Ivory Coast's 1st goal of the night during the 8th minute.

Silence!

For a split second, there was numbing silence—a collective intake of breath from the stunned English players and their supporters. Then, the realization hit, and the Ivorian section of the stadium erupted in euphoric celebration. The score read 1-0 in favor of Ivory Coast, and Wilfried Zaha ran off to celebrate the goal.

The English players were visibly shocked, their faces showing their dismay. Their early dominance was undone by one mistake, a mistimed pass, and Zaha's opportunistic brilliance that sealed the deal for Ivory Coast. At that moment, expectations of an overpowering English performance were suddenly thrown into disarray, and the crowd could feel the seismic shift in the game's momentum. Not many could believe the turn of events.

As Zaha ran towards the corner flag, arms outstretched and face alight with joy, he was joined by his Ivorian teammates in a spirited celebration. The Ivorians had drawn first blood in a manner that sent a clear message: they were here to fight, and they were more than capable of causing an upset in the semi-final.

Meanwhile, as the celebrations went on, the commentators' voices filled the airwaves, capturing the moment. "Wilfried Zaha has just put Ivory Coast ahead in the 8th minute!" Clive Tyldesley, one of the commentators, exclaimed. "An incredible turn of events here! England, known for their composure, has self-destructed. Harry Maguire's error gifted Zaha the perfect opportunity, and he didn't miss!"

"Credit must also go to Hervé Renard," Glenn Hoddle, another commentator, chimed in. "His tactical vision has paid off brilliantly. With Gervinho injured, placing Zaha up front seems like a masterstroke."

Back to the pitch, the Ivorian players were jubilant, their celebration prolonged. Zachary hugged Zaha and said, "Well done, Wilfried! That was brilliant!" he exclaimed, patting Zaha on the back. Zaha, still grinning ear to ear, nodded appreciatively.

A minute later, the brief celebration was finally over after the repeated urges of the referee, and the players quickly reset their focus. The lead was theirs, but the match was far from over. Zachary immediately stepped up to become the team motivator in the absence of the injured Gervinho. He gathered his teammates for a quick huddle. "Alright, we're in the lead now. Let's stay sharp and keep our heads. Zaha, keep pressing those center-backs. They're already shaken and under pressure. They could make another mistake if you continue ruffling their feathers."

Zaha nodded, determination etched on his face. "Got it, Zachary. Let's keep pushing."

The players marched back to their positions, a renewed sense of purpose in their steps. The cheers from the crowd slowly faded into the background as the referee signaled for the game to resume.