Rise of a Football God

[FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16]

[Match 3: England vs Germany]

[Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA]

[Date: July 9th, 2026]

[Kick-off: 17:00 local time]

[Referee: Danielle Orsato (Italy)]

The atmosphere at the Los Angeles stadium was a pressure cooker.

The weather was cool under the California night sky, but the pitch was boiling with pressure.

There are fixtures in football that never die.

England vs Germany is one of them. It is more than just a match. It's memory, myth, and meaning.

Old enemies, new war, a rivalry reignited on the biggest stage.

For Thomas Tuchel, it was a chance to prove his credentials as a better candidate for the England coaching job than his predecessor, Gareth Southgate.

The full England fanbase was behind him, hoping for a miracle.

For Julian Nagelsmann, it was a new generation with no scars, only ambition.

Last time out in Euro 2022, they stumbled in the quarterfinals to a ruthless Spain side that later went all the way to win the tournament.

This time around, they were ready to go all the way.

Two proud nations. One path to the quarterfinal.

England started in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Jordan Pickford in goal, while ahead of him was the defensive quadruple of Trent Alexander Arnold, John Stones, Marc Guehi, and Luke Shaw.

In midfield was the duo of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, while the creative players upfront were Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Marcus Rashford.

Harry Kane led the line as the striker, also captaining the side.

As for Germany, they started in a similar 4-2-3-1 formation with Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, while ahead of him was a strong defensive quadruple of Benjamin Henrichs, Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, and David Raum.

In midfield was the duo of Joshua Kimmich and Florian Wirtz, while further ahead in attack as the creative players were Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz. Niclas Fullkrug led the line as the striker.

It was a lineup of aura for aura for both nations; star-studded, heavily hyped.

Many dubbed it the game of the Round of 16, and only time would tell if the game lived up to its billing.

FWEEE!

The first half started and from the onset, both nations went at it head to head in a bid to establish dominance in the game.

Neither side managed to quite establish dominance though.

The first twenty minutes of the game were tense, like two boxers circling, throwing jabs without any truly prominent punch yet.

But like in every boxing game, no matter how tight, there's always the headline.

The game got its first headline in the 22nd minute.

England settled first.

GOAL! Harry Kane!

It came from a brilliant buildup. Bellingham danced through the midfield, played it wide to Saka, who whipped it low into the box.

Kane was there, sliding in to slit it past Ter Stegen.

1-0 England.

BOOM!

Captain's roar. A roar in Los Angeles.

English fans in the stadium felt like they were losing their minds.

But their lead didn't last. Germany responded fast.

Musiala received the ball, and immediately, it felt like a fuse lit.

BZZZ!

The wonderkid erupted in a mazy run, weaving past two defenders, and curled one to the far post, only for Pickford to save England's lead.

A mere fingertips touch!

The attack was fast, fluid, and full of fire, but Pickford kept England ahead.

That was supposed to be Germany's response.

The first half came to an end 1-0 in England's favor.

Nagelsmann made changes in the second half. Leon Goretzka and Karim Adeyemi came on, and it paid off.

In the 53rd minute of the game, Germany struck…

BAM!

…like lightning!

It came from a Kimmich corner, then a near-post run before Fullkrug thundered a header into the roof of the net.

1-1.

BOOM!

Germany's bench erupted. Game on.

The match became breathless. The tension was palpable.

In the grandest stages, in the tightest games, people say that's when stars shine. And these 2 nations, they had a plethora of stars.

In the 65th minute, Marcus Rashford went on a dazzling run down the left.

He cut in on his right, beat two defenders, before unleashing an absolute rocket… it hit the post and bounced wide!

Groans of frustrations came from the English fans.

But then, in the 72nd minute, Germany got their lifeline. Jamal Musiala was the star who shone brightest in this grand stage.

He had been threatening all night.

A solo slalom past three defenders and a cool finish into the bottom corner set the SoFi Stadium ablaze.

1-2 Germany.

From silence to shock in the English crowd.

But the game was not over yet, and then came England's moment in the 81st minute of the game after intense pressure from the English players.

Who else but Jude Bellingham? The clutch Real Madrid talisman.

From distance. A thunderbolt. Ter Stegen stretched, but it was too late.

2-2.

Jude Bellingham did his celebration, causing a meltdown in the stadium. He kissed the badge, pounded the ground. A young lion with a roar.

Stoppage time soon game. The tension was unbearable.

In the 94th minute, Karim Adeyemi was played through one on one against Pickford, but the winger blazed it over.

Curses erupted from the stands. Adeyemi had his hands on his head in disbelief.

FWEEE!

Fulltime. Then, extra time.

By now, fatigue already set in. Both coaches flexed their tactical mind, making substitutions, and drama followed.

But then, in the 103rd minute, England struck again.

"BUKAYO SAKA…!!!" The commentator screamed.

It came from a Shaw throw-in. Bellingham flicked it, Kane nodded it across, and Saka volleyed it into the top corner.

3-2 England.

English fans roared their voices out till it cracked.

Saka ran to the corner flag, arms out, redemption for 2021. The fans sang his name.

After that, it was make or break for Germany.

They threw everyone forward. England held, bodies on the line.

It was chaotic, it was tense, but then…

FWEEE!

The final whistle finally sounded.

[FULL-TIME (AET): England 3-2 Germany]

England triumph in a classic. Another epic chapter in this eternal rivalry.

Jude Bellingham won the man of the match award for his 1 goal, the equalizer, 1 assists, 3 successful dribbles, and a stunning 92% passing accuracy.

Like the commentator said.

"He's 23, but he plays like he's been here forever. A complete midfielder. A future England captain".

Jude Bellingham faced the media at the end.

"We're building something special. You saw it tonight; heart, fight, and belief".

Thomas Tuchel was all smiles at the end of the game.

"They tested every part of us today. But we showed who we are. Proud of these boys".

Julian Nagelsmann? He was stoic at the end.

"We had them. But small details… small moments. That's football".