The Knockout-Stage Opponent

About ten minutes after the match ended, reporters from dozens of the world's top sports media outlets were already waiting in the Post-match Press Conference hall.

All the lighting equipment had been fully adjusted, and cameras of every size were trained in unison on the podium.

Everyone was waiting for the two Head Coaches to appear, waiting for the final review of this classic battle of attack and defense.

According to the World Cup post-match procedure, the losing team's Head Coach would attend the press conference first.

A moment later, Costa Rica's Head Coach Pinto entered the press conference hall slowly, dressed in dark training clothes.

His expression was calm, showing neither the rage of defeat nor excessive dejection.

After enduring the intense, high-pressure defensive battle, a hint of fatigue that was difficult to conceal showed in his eyes.

Yet his posture remained straight, displaying the poise and bearing of a professional coach.

Hundreds of cameras at the venue instantly focused on him, and the sound of shutters continued without pause.

After taking his seat, Pinto adjusted the microphone himself and spoke first, breaking the silence in the room.

"First, I want to thank every one of my players."

"Everyone today gave everything they had, both physically and mentally."

As soon as he finished speaking, the reporters present lowered their heads and took notes, and no one interrupted him.

Pinto's tone was sincere, and he calmly accepted every outcome of the match.

"Our tactical deployment before the match had no problems whatsoever."

"Against England, whose strength far exceeded ours, parking the bus and defending to the death was our only way to survive."

"We wanted to hold on to a draw, and we wanted to become the Group leader. There was nothing wrong with that ambition."

"Throughout the match, our