Bukayo Saka turns towards the crowd and pumps his arms like an orchestra conductor, demands more noise, and the noise explodes like thunder, lifting the Olympiastadion off its stone foundations. Back in the England goal, Jordan Pickford is waving an imaginary lasso. There are 75 minutes on the clock in the Euro 2024 final. Cole Palmer has just scored a spectacular equaliser to make it 1-1. England have an attacking throw-in deep in Spanish territory. How can this be the end?
But it is the end and Gareth Southgate, even through his haze of distress and disappointment, the noises still ringing in his ears, the consequences and the contingencies, will identify this as the end. Can a throw-in change the course of nations? Can a throw-in decide a game? Can a throw-in encapsulate 58 years of English tournament dysfunction? Let's find out.
Here is what happens...
England have won the ball back after the goal, working it forward through Jude Bellingham and then Saka. Palmer, adrenaline and endorphins still surging through him, tries to jig past Fabián Ruiz, who puts in a desperate tackle and bunts the ball out of play.
As he regains his balance, Ruiz stumbles a little. He looks exhausted. His shirt is absolutely soaked in sweat. The roar of the England fans is primeval. The clock shows 74:49.
Kyle Walker trots forward to take the throw and Palmer gives the ball up for him. Walker studies his options the long throw into the mixer, the short one to Palmer or Saka, who are wheeling around in front of him like bobbins - and doesn't like any of them. So he waits. Perhaps he even freezes momentarily. By the time Walker releases the ball it has spent 31 seconds - 3.4% of the remaining time available in the match - in his hands. The noise has died down a little.
Walker, a powerful man, takes a run-up. Winds up those fearsome, Carrington-carved core muscles.
Hurls the ball with all his might.
Denne historien er fra July 16, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra July 16, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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