Chapter 850: Club World Cup Hat-Trick of Titles
Though Bruno hadn't scored yet, he was the first to sprint over and celebrate with his teammates.
He understood—it wasn't for lack of effort. His teammates wanted him to score, but football doesn't always follow a script. Tigres were no pushovers; they had come prepared with a clear plan to disrupt United's rhythm and contain him. The best thing United could do was keep playing their game and create chances when they came.
"Let's press them right after their kickoff," İlkay Gündoğan suggested.
With halftime approaching, it was the perfect time to strike once more.
"Good idea. We'll press high once they restart."
Harry Kane, still buzzing from Bruno's earlier assist, added, "Once you win it back, feed me. Those two center-backs can't handle me tonight."
He turned to Bruno with a grin. "And you—get ready to make that diagonal run in behind. I'll thread it through."
Bruno nodded. "Sounds good to me."
The plan was simple—and dangerous.
...
The two Tigres forwards took their places at the center circle to restart play.
As soon as the ball rolled, United's players surged forward aggressively, charging straight at the back line.
The Mexican side looked caught off guard—surely they hadn't expected another onslaught right after conceding? Under pressure, a misplaced pass flew into midfield—Gündoğan intercepted.
Mbappé broke free down the wing and squared it to Kane up front.
The England striker held off his marker, flicking the ball cleverly backward with his right foot.
And then, like a flash, Bruno exploded through the defensive line.
The fans, limited in number due to pandemic restrictions, suddenly came to life.
Most of them were here for United and, above all, for Bruno. And the moment they saw him burst past the backline to latch onto Kane's pass, the entire stadium rose as one.
"Bruno's onside!"
"He's onto the through ball—clean through on goal!"
"Goalkeeper Guzmán rushes out to stop him…"
"Bruno… brilliant touch past him!"
"Empty net—GOAL!!!!!!"
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!"
"Bruno Fernandes! In the 39th minute, he finally breaks Tigres' resistance!"
"Unbelievable! Two goals in two minutes for Manchester United—it's 3–0!"
...
Bruno slid across the pitch on his knees, roaring toward the TV camera. His teammates raced after him, mobbing him in celebration—someone even kissed him on the forehead amid the chaos.
"3–0! Manchester United have this final in their grasp."
"And that's Bruno's first goal of this Club World Cup campaign—and his 13th goal in the tournament overall!"
"What a resilient, relentless striker he is!"
"Before this match, he trailed Gignac by three goals for the Golden Boot, and many thought he'd given up. But Bruno never stops fighting—he's been searching all game, patient yet persistent. And now, he's rewarded for it!"
"And remember—there's still an entire half to play!"
"Yes—let's say it again—come on, Bruno! You've got forty-five more minutes, and more goals waiting!"
...
As he got up, Bruno hugged each teammate one by one, his gratitude plain to see.
"There's still the second half," he said, catching his breath. "I can feel it—I can score again."
"Damn right you can," laughed Kane. "Even if you didn't want another, we'd make you take one!"
"Yeah, come on—at least another goal, maybe a hat-trick!"
Smiles, laughter, and pats on the back all around—the team's spirits soared as the halftime whistle blew.
...
"The second half kicks off with a change for Manchester United—İlkay Gündoğan makes way for Riyad Mahrez."
"That looks like Mourinho managing the workload ahead of their Premier League trip to West Brom in four days."
"The Baggies may be in the relegation zone, but they can't be underestimated. And with Manchester City on a blistering run of ten straight league wins, United can't afford to slip up."
"Still, notice that Bruno stays on—he hasn't given up his chase for the Golden Boot."
"Gignac finished yesterday's third-place match with three goals—so Bruno trails by only two. And with that look of focus and fire on his face, he's far from done."
"Only 26 years old, and yet he's already performing like one of the world's best—if not the best—this season. Can he close the gap tonight?"
...
Tigres clearly had no illusions of pulling off a miracle and instead focused solely on minimizing damage.
Bruno understood too—it wouldn't be easy. The only way he'd score again was through persistence. He kept driving into the penalty area, probing for an opening as teammates worked tirelessly to supply him.
But the rhythm faltered after Gündoğan's substitution. Mahrez, though talented, wasn't a natural deep-lying playmaker. Passes came a touch late or slightly off-target, disrupting Bruno's timing.
Still, the captain never showed frustration. Whenever a pass went astray, he lifted his hand, gave a thumbs-up, or clapped encouragingly—little gestures that spoke volumes.
Because he understood leadership meant more than scoring—it meant lifting everyone around him.
He had vowed to fix what held back his "other self" in another timeline—the temperament, the ego, the impatience. This Bruno was different: calm, generous, and adored by his teammates.
And with that trust, came extra motivation—they all wanted to help him do it.
...
Mahrez might not have Gündoğan's precision, but his work rate was superb—pressing hard, tracking back, battling for every ball.
In the 62nd minute, his persistence paid off. Charging an opponent, he poked the ball loose.
Virgil van Dijk immediately stepped forward, intercepting and pushing into midfield.
Looking up, he saw Kane holding central position and Bruno harassing the left-back on the shoulder. Then came the signal—Bruno's raised right hand, their trademark cue.
Van Dijk didn't hesitate. He launched a pinpoint long ball forward.
Bruno sprinted, positioning his body perfectly to shield the defender, read the flight, and control the drop.
Chest out—control flawless. The ball bounced forward off him, and in one swift motion, he left his marker behind, charging into the box.
...
"Bruno's through again—one-on-one!"
"Shoots!"
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!"
"What a finish!"
"In the 63rd minute, Bruno breaks free, darts into the area, and smashes home a clinical strike—4–0 Manchester United!"
"Bruno Fernandes with his second goal of the match—his double surely seals United's third straight Club World Cup title!"
...
Bruno sprinted along the touchline, leaping into the arms of substitutes rushing from the bench. Gündoğan hugged him tightly.
"I knew you'd do it!" he shouted. "I told you, you could!"
A brace on the grandest stage.
Bruno could feel it burning inside him—a roar of pride and vindication. Before kickoff, he wasn't sure he had it in him tonight.
Now he knew.
A hat-trick was possible.
A comeback for the Golden Boot was possible.
Everything was possible.
(END CHAPTER)
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