Maignan wasted no time.
The moment the decision was confirmed, he launched the ball long—bypassing Spain's pressing lines, sending it deep into the opposition half.
Peter Drury's voice sharpened with urgency.
"Oh, Spain have been caught off guard here!"
Olivier Giroud, the veteran substitute, tracked the ball's flight, adjusting his position between Laporte and Rodri.
With a masterful read of the trajectory, he took it down with his chest, absorbing the weight of the pass before flicking it toward Mbappé.
And then, he moved.
Like a striker who had done this a thousand times before, he peeled away, drifting into space between the Spanish defenders.
Mbappé saw it immediately.
A quick glance and a perfect understanding was formed. Mbappe, with the outside boot, sent the ball traveling.
The ball skidded across the turf with deadly precision, arriving at Giroud's feet in stride.
The former Arsenal man took one touch—then a second.
And then, an explosion.
