How Could He Bear to Let Them Lose?

At the start of extra time, both teams seemed recharged by the break.

In truth, both sides were drawing on their last reserves, gritting their teeth and holding on.

Real Madrid played with experience and showed no hurry.

With Toni Kroos off, Modric took charge of midfield.

Isco linked play farther forward, constantly receiving the ball, shielding it, and looking for openings.

Liverpool chased and pressed through gritted teeth, but they were noticeably slower than before.

They had played too many matches this season. Though Klopp had rotated his squad extensively, these same starters had still led the charge in the crucial games.

Neither side created a real threat in the first ten minutes.

It was a test of stamina as much as a test of nerve.

The players on both teams kept running.

The singing in the stands never stopped either. Liverpool's fans sang until their throats were raw.

Real Madrid's fans were no better off.

With Firmino substituted, Chen Anno had more room to move, but covering that ground placed an even greater strain on him.

He kept dropping deep and driving forward. Sweat slid from his hair to his cheeks, then dripped onto the grass.

Of course, Casemiro and Adrián Ramos, who had been marking him today, had almost been run into the ground too.

Whenever they had a moment, they braced their hands on their knees and gasped for breath.

But the instant Chen Anno moved, they had to grit their teeth, straighten up, and follow.

Soon, the match reached the 103rd minute.

The thirteenth minute of the first half of extra time.

Real Madrid suddenly raised the tempo again and launched a counterattack.

Marcelo took possession in his own half. This time, instead of passing, he sprinted forty meters with the ball.

He charged from