ON TO THE SEMIS! The United Imperium Stuns the British Empire in Massive Euros Match

The first time these two teams met, the competitive stakes were virtually non-existent. It was a game for pride, but a thriller nonetheless. With a late equalizer from Yunus Musah, the Imperium and British Empire ended in a 2-2 draw. Both teams finished on seven points and made it out of the group. The British would then win against Ioannia in a 2-0 statement win in the Round of 16. Likewise, the United Imperium dominated rivals Blue Bottle Confederation in a 4-0 win. The two teams would line up at Liberty Parkway once again in the quarter-finals for a chance to play Fallenz in the Euros semi-final. 

Pictured: Liberty Parkway in the Pre-Game Ceremonies Ahead of the Quarter-Final Match Between The United Imperium and British Empire

Following the 5 fouls committed by the Imperium national team in the round of 16 matchup against Blue Bottle Confederation, the expectation from the pundits was that this was bound to be a rough, aggressive match with lots of chopping challenges and dubious play. The Imperium's national team defied these expectations, instead sticking to a more balanced play style, using Adams, Mckennie, and Reyna to provide a counterpoint to the aggressive British midfield of Bellingham, Mount, and Rice. An early corner for the Brits marked the only major action of the first 30 minutes, until Folarin Balogun made a huge play for the Americans: 

Balo, Balo, here he goes, to Mckennie, the through ball to Dest, he sends it back to Balogun. Folarin Balogun surveys the pitch... kicks it back to Dest... clear foul by Bellingham... SERGINO DEST BREAKS THE DEADLOCK! AS HE IS PULLED DOWN BY BELLINGHAM, A SENSATIONAL STRIKE FOR ONE NIL! 

Going into the half, neither team was able to create another opportunity. The midfielders for both teams dominated the match, refusing to allow one another into the attacking third. Another British corner kick proved to be a potential threat, but a strong header by Cameron Carter-Vickers meant that the Imperium was going to go up 1-0 into the half. 

Coming out of the half was more of the same. Both midfielders played spectacularly, competing furiously for possession. At one point, a frustrated Folarin Balogun chopped British striker Harry Kane, drawing a yellow card. Then, in the 75th minute, the Imperium would put the match away for good: 

Mckennie, he's going to take it himself, the pass to Reyna, back to Mckennie. Mckennie slides by Mount, in some space... cuts back past Tomori... he dribbles into the box... UNREAL! WESTON MCKENNIE, THE MAGIC MAN! TWO FOR THE UNITED IMPERIUM IN THE QUARTER FINAL! FIFTEEN MINUTES! FIFTEEN MINUTES LEFT, AND THE IMPERIUM'S WILDEST DREAMS WILL BECOME A REALITY!

A late British penalty from Kane did nothing to stop the Imperium's win. The final score at Liberty Parkway was 2-1, and with the win, The United Imperium goes into the Euros Semifinal against Fallenz. A win against Fallenz, and the Imperium will book their ticket to the Euro Final in Death Valley, the United Imperium. Will the winning streak be kept alive? Time will tell.

BREAKING NEWS AFTER THE MATCH: THE UNITED IMPERIUM AND EAST AUSTRALIA (AKA LUNORIA) HAVE SIGNED AN MDP!