Chapter 135 The Fastest Goal and Lightning Equalizer
"Ouch, ouch, ouch -"
With the huge momentum created by the Nizhny Novgorod Arena, Zhang Linpeng threw a powerful sideline ball.
The football flew towards the Croatian penalty area, and many players from both sides were entangled. The Chinese fans in the stands were full of expectations, while the Croatian fans became nervous.
Many Chinese and Croatian players in the front and middle failed to jump to the highest point due to mutual interference. The football missed the ball. Tang Zheng, who was tightly held by Lovren, his eyes lit up and he subconsciously raised his right foot. Stop the falling football firmly under your feet, and then lift your right foot.
Lovren and Mandzukic, who were half a beat too slow to react, fell to the ground to block Tang Zheng's shooting angle. However, Tang Zheng's raised right foot did not complete the shot. Instead, he quickly retracted it and then slammed the football with the inside of his instep. Push to the left to open up space.
In order to increase the suddenness, Tang Zheng did not swing his left thigh after his right foot landed, but used his toes to poke the football.
Tang Zheng's entire movement was smooth and fluid, and it was completed in a flash. Rebic, who was standing at the near-end goal post, subconsciously stretched out his foot and did not touch the football. By the time goalkeeper Subasic dropped his center of gravity and pounced to the right, it was too late. The football came from behind. The turf between him and Rebic hit the snow-white net.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch—"
Suddenly, the entire Nizhny Novgorod Arena became boiling, and the Chinese fans subconsciously made a deafening roar.
No one expected that the Chinese team would get off to a fantastic start less than a minute into the game and take the lead!
Therefore, the Chinese fans were particularly excited about this unexpected goal. In addition to the Chinese fans echoing in the fan square outside the stadium, those Chinese fans sitting in front of the TV could hear the noise from the scene.
You must know that most domestic fans watching the game at this time have just woken up after setting their alarm clocks, and they are still in a state of confusion.
Those fans who got up early and waited for the start of the game were not much better. According to regular games, goals would not be scored so early, so they were not ready for the Chinese team to take the lead in breaking the deadlock.
"The ball has gone in! The ball has gone in! There was a melee in the Croatian penalty area. Tang Zheng faked a shot and actually dunked to find a good opportunity! His left foot shot broke the Croatian goal! 1:0! We are leading the powerful Croatia!!"
As the passionate voice of Central 5 commentator He Wei came from the loudspeaker, these fans reacted and chanted hysterically.
Countless cities, communities, bars, streets, and government-imposed fan plazas erupted into sky-wide roars after Tang Zheng scored.
British Sky commentator Andy Gray entered the state very quickly. He said emotionally: "The goal less than a minute into the game! It's wonderful! This is the role that the omnipotent Don can play on the field! Croatia's victory over The Chinese team is indeed strong! But don’t forget... The magic thing about Tang is that no matter how strong the opponent is, he is always one point stronger than the opponent! This goal is his fifth goal in this World Cup ! Surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku, tied with England captain Harry Kane, and topped the scorer list!"
At the same time, Lippi, the head coach of the Chinese team in front of the visiting team's coaching bench, was stunned for a moment before hugging his assistants Madaloni and Li Tie in celebration.
Because... scoring the first goal is a good thing for the Chinese team!
Taking an early lead can give up the initiative in the game, allowing Croatia to dominate the game, and then retreat to the half-court to implement the defensive counterattack tactics arranged before the game.
If everything goes according to plan, it is very possible to win against Croatia and advance to the quarterfinals of this World Cup!
Unlike Lippi who was excited, Croatian coach Dalic had an ugly face.
The ball was conceded just one minute into the game. You don’t need to think about how difficult the next game will be...
In addition, the VIP seats cannot be ignored. The on-site director gave the heads of state a close-up shot of their faces, letting the fans in front of the TV know that the giants would also be emotional.
After the crazy commentary, He Wei changed his words: "Tang Zheng's goal occurred at the 57th second of the game. It is the fastest goal in this World Cup!"
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Tang Zheng, who scored the goal, seemed particularly excited in the fanatical atmosphere, constantly inciting the excitement of the Chinese fans.
Croatian Modric, who was still standing at the top of the penalty area, had his hands on his hips and a look of helplessness. He had personally experienced Tang Zheng's ability, which could turn decay into magic, but he did not expect that this ability would extend to the World Cup.
There is nothing we can do about anything but helplessness.
How could such a Tang Zheng be defeated?
Modric quickly shook his head and pushed away the negative emotions. Although Tang Zheng was strong, the Chinese team was not a strong team. There is absolutely no way to compare the team.
The game has only started one minute, and there is still enough time to equalize the score or even take the lead!
It doesn't matter how strong Tang Zheng is, because football is a team sport!
The game restarted, and the morale of the Chinese team, which got a dream start, was greatly boosted. Wu Sanshi and Sun Jingbo pressed forward when Rakitic took the ball to organize the attack, but Rakitic was very good at his feet and had a wide field of vision. , even under heavy pressure from Wu Sanshi and Sun Jingbo, he still completed a precise long pass.
The football flew from the 30-meter area in the middle of the Croatian defensive half to the right back Vsaljko who crossed the center line. The latter used his right foot to step forward without stopping the ball. The Chinese team's left back Jiang Zhipeng was unable to do so due to the interference of Rebic. The kick was accurate and the football flew towards the defensive left where Jiang Zhipeng should be guarding.
Fortunately, at the beginning of the game, Rebic did not expect that Jiang Zhipeng would not play properly. He was half a beat late. Jiang Zhipeng did not lose his position, but only gave control of the football to Rebic, who was closer.
Rebic stopped the football before it flew out of the right sideline and tried to break through Jiang Zhipeng.
Jiang Zhipeng fought and retreated, leaving no room for Rebic to break through. However, his teammate Vosaljko moved very smartly. Fossaljko, who was pretending to be on the edge, suddenly accelerated to the inside line. Lu Liang, who was following the defense, did not expect at all. It was too late to start again, and Rebic slipped the ball between Jiang Zhipeng and Lu Liang in a very subtle way.
Feng Xiaoting's first move was Ah Jin, who came out to defend. Fusaliko didn't care, and directly used the instep of his right foot on the right rib of the penalty area to swipe the football toward the goal.
Ko Junyi and Mandzukic both ran over, and Zhang Linpeng, who was adducted from the back point, took the initiative to face the football and raised his left foot to make a clearance.
But... something unexpected happened.
No one expected that Zhang Linpeng's left-footed clearance just hit Li Kui, who was back on defense near the penalty spot. Li Kui didn't react in time. The football hit the side of Li Kui's face as he tried to avoid it, and then bounced back.
The most fatal thing was that the ball bounced back and fell just within Mandzukic's control. Gao Zhunyi and Yan Junling were shocked and rushed forward respectively, but Mandzukic reacted too quickly and completed a kick to the ball. Volleying sideways, the football flew towards the upper left corner of the goal. Goalkeeper Yan Junling was powerless to deal with the shot, which was less than three meters away from the goal. He could only declare that it was out of reach.
The football hit the snow-white net, and the Croatian fans in the stands were relieved and cheered loudly: "Ooooooooooo-"
Mandzukki, who helped Croatia equalize the score, raised his arms and shouted in a fanatical atmosphere, venting frantically with his teammates to release the huge pressure caused by the goal.
Captain Modric was so excited that he knelt and slid towards Mandzukic. From this, it is not difficult to see how important Mandzukic's goal is to Croatia.
After conceding a goal less than a minute into the game, the game was tied in the fourth minute.
If the Chinese team had a dream start, then Croatia had a lightning equalizer.
The Chinese team focuses on quick counterattacks in this World Cup. Without this equalizing goal, it might be difficult to score again.
Tang Zheng's vision, Lu Liang, Sun Jingbo and Wu Sanshi's speed.
It’s really despairing just thinking about it.
fortunately!
Mandzukic equalized the score.
Immediately, the on-site director gave Li Kui a close-up shot of his face, and there was an obvious red mark on his right cheek.
That... was the mark of an own-goal assist caused by Zhang Linpeng's clearance kick on his right cheek.
At this time, Li Kui kept shaking his head, and he didn't know whether to say MMP or not.
Of course, he doesn't blame Zhang Linpeng, but blames himself for having such bad luck?
"The Chinese team had a dream start. I didn't expect that the powerful Croatia would take advantage of a defensive error by the Chinese team to equalize the score two minutes later. Alas~"
Central 5 commentator He Wei sighed: "But the game has only started five minutes, and we still have a lot of time to exceed the score again, so the fans in front of the TV need not feel discouraged! I believe the young men on the field..."
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Losing the ball is never one person's problem, but the responsibility of the whole team. Captain Tang Zheng sighed softly and then comforted his teammates.
There is still a lot of game time, and if morale drops because of this conceded goal, it will be troublesome.
After all, this is a knockout round. Once a player has a mental problem, the hidden dangers will be absolutely fatal.
Fortunately, the players of this Chinese team have very good psychological adjustment ability. When the game restarted, under Tang Zheng's control, they did not show any eagerness to exceed the score again. Instead, they looked for opportunities through patient passing in the midfield and backcourt.
Croatia's midfield combination is among the best in the world, but the Chinese team's midfielder is not bad either.
Tang Zheng is currently recognized as the world's number one player in world football, and he is also the number one player in the midfield. He can completely play the role of two players.
In addition, the strength of Croatia's midfield is more reflected in the offense. Rakitic and Modric are both organizational midfielders. They are strong in attack and weak in attack. Defense relies on the cooperation of the whole team, and Tang Zheng, who is retreating, gives China The team's transition between offense and defense has also caused some problems. The 31-year-old Hao Junmin is completely unable to deliver good balls in dense defense.
However, this aspect is also reflected in Croatia's offense. The midfielder partnership of Tang Zheng and Li Kui defended the center impregnably and did not give Modric and Rakitic a chance at all. Therefore, Croatia's offense relied more on the two wings. .
As the score became a draw, the offenses of both sides became more cautious. When the game reached the knockout stage, no one had any way out.
Once you lose, you will be eliminated!
It will be four years before we participate in this quadrennial football feast.
The career of a professional player is limited, and no one knows whether he will be able to participate in the World Cup four years later.
Living in the present is what every professional player pursues.
The more powerful Croatia gradually controlled the rhythm of the game. The Chinese team retreated completely to the half court. Even if there was a chance to counterattack, they would not attack aggressively. Instead, they relied on the small-scale cooperation of the three players in the frontcourt to create murderous opportunities.
Unfortunately, the counterattack failed to score a goal.
In the blink of an eye, twenty minutes passed, and neither side of the game was able to break through the opponent's goal. However, Croatia had more advantages in terms of ball possession ratio, number of shots, shots hitting the goal frame and number of corner kicks.
The head coaches of both sides came to the sidelines from time to time to make tactical adjustments, hoping that the team's offense would improve.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch -"
Although the scene was relatively stalemate, the mood of the fans in the stands did not drop at all. Instead, they burst into loud cheers.
Thirty minutes into the game, the fans in the stands played "Mexican Wave" in a fanatical atmosphere.
Fans sitting in front of the TV can see the fans jumping from jumping to sitting down. The visual impact is particularly strong and they want to be part of it.
Central 5 commentator He Wei's mood calmed down as the game reached a deadlock. He said solemnly: "The balance that was broken when the score was tied returned to calm. It is not easy to have an open attack unless a certain party Breaking the balance again, but... this possibility is very low. The 1/8 finals are different from the group stage. Once a goal is conceded, it may lead to missing the quarterfinals. This... is a result that neither side of the game wants to accept, but... This is also the cruelty of the tournament system..."
Another ten minutes of the game passed with Hevi's talk, and at the 40th minute, Croatia, which dominated the game's offense, changed its tactics and appropriately reduced possession of the ball, allowing the football to stay at the feet of the Chinese players more.
Quick counterattack is not only a means of livelihood for weak teams, but also an essential skill for strong teams.
Croatian head coach Dalic obviously hopes to force the Chinese team to spend more time organizing the offense by reducing possession of the ball, resulting in offensive errors.
However, the core of the Chinese team's offense is Tang Zheng. As the number one midfielder in today's world football, his reading of the game is almost unparalleled. He can naturally detect something from Croatia's tactical changes.
No matter whether the football is at Tang Zheng's feet or not, he will always signal his teammates to be more stable.
Because head coach Lippi had given important instructions before the game, the knockout round is not about merit but no fault.
It is normal to be unable to defeat Croatia in regular time. Even if it is a draw in overtime, I have thought about it. Therefore, in the process of preparing for the 1/8 finals, there was targeted penalty kick training in order to beware of possible penalty shootouts. !
Besides, the current offensive players of the Chinese team are very smart, and they are aware of Tang Zheng's deliberate control of the rhythm. Moreover, there is not much time left in the first half, so there is no need to take risks for possible goals.
Caution is the boat!
Don’t be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of the unexpected!
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