On to the Knockouts: The United Imperium and the British Empire Draw Once Again

Admittedly, the United Imperium and the British Empire had both qualified directly to knockouts, so maybe there was a little less urgency from both sides for winning this match. However, even if there wasn't that element of urgency from qualification, the intensity and importance of a massive rivalry match were still clear and present from both sides. Even if nothing other than pride was on the line, this was still one of the biggest matches of the tournament so far. American manager Erlan Holland had some strong words on the subject:

This I think is one of the biggest matches of the tournament, maybe bigger than the match between us and the Soviet Federation. I say this because the British Empire is historically one of our biggest rivals in the world of sports. And no doubt they are one of the top teams at this tournament. There are a couple of other top teams in this tournament, but I think we are, and Britain are both meeting those criteria. It's a big, big match.

With the world watching with bated breath, the two teams kicked off at the Liberty Parkway. The Imperium national team started out with some good possession, pushing up into the attacking third, before Sergino Dest was found in a clear offsides position. Although the British found themselves some good play of their own, neither side was ultimately able to make the decisive move and get a good shot in. A few wayward attempts dotted the first 30 minutes of play, but nothing major really happened. Then, in the 31st minute, disaster struck:

Mason Mount, with the backheel to Bellingham. Bellingham, Vickers over-commits, he's going to take the shot from the edge of the box... BELLINGHAM SCORES!!! BELLIGOAL! BELLIGOAL! BELLIGOAL! BRITAIN TAKE THE LEAD HERE IN THE UNITED IMPERIUM IN PHENOMENAL FASHION!

The European giants had scored first, but how would the United Imperium respond? Pretty strongly, as it would turn out. Balogun and Reyna would lead the charge, slicing through the English midfield right into the attacking third. A strong shot from Pulisic careened off the post, but a poor clearance from Reece James would ultimately cost the British side heavily:

Poor clearance from James, it's going to go right back to Mckennie, the midfielder. Good tackle by Tomori, but Adams will pick it back up for the Imperium. He's going to work his way to the wing, marked closely by Tomori... Adams chips it in... GOAL! PULI PULI! SIC SIC! USA! USA! USA! CHRISTIAN PULISIC WITH A SENSATIONAL HEADER OVER STONES TO EQUALIZE!

The match continued, with both sides making great runs into the attacking third. Aside from a chopping challenge by Robertson on Tim Weah, no other major events occurred for the remainder of the first half. Going into the half, Liberty Parkway was absolutely thunderous. Would the fans here be treated to a stunning victory, or would they be forced to witness a horrific loss? The next 45 would tell the tale.

Going back into the half, neither side was able to make it out of the midfield. On the British side, Bellingham, Mount, and Rice fought for possession against the Americans Mckennie, Reyna, and Adams. Finally, a deflection from the British led to a corner kick for the Imperium's national side. A John Stones clearance (making up for his earlier mistake) would see that opportunity go for naught. Then, disaster struck once again in the 78th minute:

Kane, in the attacking third... its been stagnant for much of the second half, can he change that? He's marked here by Pulisic. Skips past his man, great skill, Kane dishes to Foden, who chips it back into the box for Kane... WHO SLOTS IT HOME! WITH SO LITTLE TIME TO SPARE, SURELY KANE HAS FINISHED THE UNITED IMPERIUM! BRITAIN DOES THE UNTHINKABLE!

But the commentator was wrong. The United Imperium was not finished. They were only just getting started. Spearheaded by Yunus Musah, the substitute for the American side, the United Imperium quickly made its way back into the box. The new point man for the Imperium side, Musah would take it into the box himself, looking for an opportunity to create a chance...

They must score now. The United Imperium cannot fail. The eyes of the nation are upon them. They've fallen to European titans before in the World Cup, against Uwistan. They must not allow it to happen again. Musah, takes it into the box, brings it back out. He's looking for an opportunity, but the British have clogged the box. Musah, dribbling down to the goal line... he's going to cut it back, spins past Bellingham... the shot is... GOOD! YUNUS MUSAH, THE MESSIAH! FEAST YOUR EYES, AMERICA! YOU ARE NOT DREAMING! YOUR SAVIOR HAS ARRIVED! THE SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD, TO PUT THE UNITED IMPERIUM BACK ON LEVEL TERMS!

And as the final whistle marked the end of the match, the pundits and social media immediately exploded. One of the most notable things that came out of the discourse to follow the 2-2 match score was that the United Imperium has still never lost in competitive play to either the British Empire or any one of its component entities, even in the pre-Balkanization. With two draws against England and a draw against Wales in the pre-Balkan days (back when the United States was a thing instead of the United Imperium), there has never been a competitive match in this century between America and Britain that has not resulted in a draw.

Aside from the cool statistics, the country was divided on the performance itself. On one hand, some fans were furious over the draw, citing missed opportunities and defensive miscues as cause for major concern going into the knockouts. On the other hand, the resilience and strong attacking play were cause for optimism from other fans. Will the Imperium continue its run for Euros history? Or will they fall short of the ultimate goal? Only time will tell.