The flames of war are burning on the football field. The players of both sides launched a hearty offensive and defensive battle on the green field. The shouts and cheers of the audience came and went, pushing the atmosphere of the scene to a climax. At this time, a shovel of the century was born, which caused the audience to exclaim.
Hummels' Shovel of the Century
In the second leg of the 2023 Champions League 1/8 finals, Dortmund hosts Chelsea. The game entered the final 10 minutes, and the two sides were still tied 0-0. At this juncture, Chelsea's leading goalscorer Kylian Mbappe picked up the ball in the Borussia Dortmund penalty area and prepared a world-class strike to give Chelsea the lead.
Seeing that Mbappe's chance to shoot was imminent, Dortmund centre-back Hummels galloped from behind the flank and made a breathtaking "one-shot tackle" from the edge of the line. He accurately judged Mbappe's intentions at the crucial moment and cleared the ball with excellent technical movements, successfully destroying Mbappe's excellent shooting chance.
The save was affectionately dubbed the "Shovel of the Century" by the fans. Hummels demonstrated exceptional judgment, reflexes and technical prowess in this difficult defensive move, which is a classic. He used his fighting spirit to secure a precious 0-0 draw for Borussia Dortmund, which ultimately helped the team to advance to the next round. This brilliant save was also voted the best save in the Champions League that season by authoritative media.
Mbappe against Borussia Dortmund
In the 2023 Champions League 1/8 final against Dortmund in two legs, French striker Mbappe is in hot form. In the first leg away, he contributed one goal and one assist, laying a good foundation for Chelsea. In the second leg at home, although he did not score, he broke through in the Dortmund box many times to threaten, creating several excellent chances to be cleared by Hummels and others.
In the 83rd minute, the shot opportunity that was defused by the "Shovel of the Century" was the most classic. Mbappe picked up the ball in the Dortmund penalty area and turned around, and Hummels saved Dort's life by tackling the ball from behind the side. This scene not only shows Mbappe's attacking threat, but also highlights Hummels' defensive mastery.
Introduction to Mats Hummels
Mats Hummels (born 16 December 1988 in Bedge Schgradbach, Germany) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back and currently plays for Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund.
Hummels showed exceptional talent at an early age, joining Bayern Munich's academy at the age of seven, where he spent 10 years. In 2008, he spent a loan spell at nearby Borussia Dortmund and quickly made a name for himself at his new club, helping them win the Bundesliga title in 2010-11 and 2011-12 and developing into a world-class centre-back.
In 2016, Hummel returned to his hometown of Bayern Munich and played for three seasons, during which time he helped the team win the Bundesliga title for three consecutive years. The veteran rejoined Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and is now the second-highest capped player in Dortmund history. With his excellent defensive skills and header threat, Hummels was selected for the German national team several times and won the World Cup with the team in 2014.
Highlight the moment on the football field
In the 100-year history of football, there have always been some unforgettable moments that not only reflect the tenacious fighting spirit of the players, but also highlight the unique charm of the game.
In 1968, after a Manchester United plane crash, the team's rebuilding path was questioned. However, in the same year, they won the European Champions League against Benfica in the Wembley game, and manager Busby's move became a classic.
In the semi-finals of Euro 2000, Italy was forced to take a penalty after failing to score for 120 minutes thanks to the famous "steel defence" against the Netherlands.
In 2003, during a match between Denmark and Iran, an Iranian player was awarded a penalty in the penalty area, and the Danish team moved the fans with a decision. They deliberately deflected the penalty wide as a way to express their displeasure with the referee.
In addition to these touching and inspirational moments, there are many heartwarming scenes on the football field that are worth remembering, such as the scene of players hugging and celebrating with their families. These moments allow us to see the unique human spirit behind football.
Through this pinnacle duel under the scorching lights, it is not difficult to see that the charm of football comes from its uncertainty and excitement. A brilliant save, a great chance to shoot, can change the course of the game in an instant. The hard work of the players on the green field also reflects the greatness and tenacity of human nature.
I believe that there will be more exciting moments for us in football. Let's wait and see how we can witness these shining moments with full enthusiasm.