The floodlights buzzed overhead as the Tunisian national team stepped onto the pitch, the air heavy with anticipation. Montassar Talbi adjusted his captain’s armband, eyes scanning the formation one last time.

“You see their number 9?” asked his defensive partner, nervously bouncing on his heels. “Big guy. Fast.”

Talbi cracked a quiet smile. “Big or fast, they all fall the same when they lose the ball.”

With a gentle tap on his teammate’s shoulder, he added, “We don’t chase. We read. Let them come.”

As the whistle blew, Talbi became a wall. Cutting off angles, stepping into passing lanes, and launching calm, accurate passes forward. In the 78th minute, when the opposing striker broke free, Talbi sprinted back, timed his slide perfectly, and won the ball cleanly—earning a roar from the crowd.

Later in the locker room, his coach clapped him on the back. “That tackle? That’s why we trust you.”

Montassar simply nodded, unwrapping his wrist tape. “One clean challenge at a time. That’s how we win.”