Chapter 285: Knockout, here we come !
In the following match, the Chinese team created four consecutive counterattacks, with Wang Feng attracting defenders while opportunistically passing to Dongfang Zhuo.
One of these attempts was intercepted by Marchena, while another pass was slightly off-target, preventing Dongfang Zhuo from receiving it in time, leading to a quick clearance by Spain.
In two other instances, Wang Feng successfully passed the ball to the feet of the Chinese young talent, but unfortunately, his shots were saved by Casillas.
Dongfang Zhuo smiled apologetically at Wang Feng, who encouraged him with a thumbs-up. Wang Feng could see that Dongfang Zhuo's forward runs and shots were improving gradually. Despite the significant gap in defensive quality between the second division teams he faced previously and the current opponents, coupled with his nerves, Dongfang Zhuo was now showing improvement.
Wang Feng believed that Dongfang Zhuo possessed the instincts of an excellent forward, evidenced by his status as the second top scorer in the second division. Wang Feng attributed Dongfang Zhuo's previous lackluster performances to facing teams with weaker defenses and his own nervousness.
Wang Feng urged Dongfang Zhuo to play with confidence, emphasizing that anything was possible with the right mindset.
The match was no longer one-sided. Despite leading, Spain maintained a relaxed pace in their attacks, while China occasionally created moments of excitement for the fans.
In the 79th minute, Iniesta once again faced Wang Feng with the ball. Despite Spain dominating the match, Iniesta struggled against Wang Feng's relentless defense, failing to pose any threat.
Once again, the ball was quickly taken away from the Spanish players, initiating another counterattack by China. Wang Feng dribbled forward, drawing three defenders towards him as he advanced into the opponent's half.
Seeing Salgado finally drawn towards him, Wang Feng quickly passed the ball to avoid losing possession. The ball found Dongfang Zhuo, who was unmarked inside the penalty area. This time, he decisively struck the ball with his right foot into the top right corner of the goal, beyond Canizares' reach.
1-2! The Fritz-Walter Stadium erupted into thunderous cheers as countless Chinese fans shed tears of joy, chanting the names of Wang Feng and Dongfang Zhuo.
In the live studio, Chinese guests Zhang Jun and Lan Jianxiang had already lost their voices from cheering: "Goal! Goal! China has finally scored!"
"An aerial strike from Dongfang Zhuo! With Wang Feng heavily marked, another Chinese player has stepped up and saved the day!"
"In the first two group matches, Wang Feng scored all three goals for China. His attacking prowess intimidates all opponents, but no one within the Chinese team shares the burden of defensive pressure with him."
"Now, Dongfang Zhuo has emerged. This young talent, also the second Chinese to win the European league golden boot, has become the second Chinese player to score in the World Cup!"
"Let's applaud Wang Feng and Dongfang Zhuo, these two young players who shoulder the future of Chinese football!"
After scoring, Dongfang Zhuo stood dumbfounded in front of the goal, his face filled with disbelief. Did he just breach Spain's defense and score in the World Cup?
Wang Feng was the first to rush to his side, patting his head and exclaiming, "I knew you could do it, kid!" Other players also gathered around, congratulating the 21-year-old sensation.
Finally recovering from his shock, Dongfang Zhuo smiled broadly, thanking Wang Feng profusely. Without Wang Feng's guidance and passes, he wouldn't have been able to score.
"Alright, enough of this. We just need one more goal, everyone. I don't care how many Ukraine scores later; as long as we secure a draw, we're guaranteed to advance to the knockout stage. We've come this far, so why not give it one more push?"
With determined nods from everyone, the celebrations quickly ceased. Wang Feng hurriedly retrieved the ball from the Spanish net, gesturing to the referee for a kickoff.
With only 10 minutes remaining, Spain rallied for one final push, but China relied on tight defense to fend off their threats and counterattacked with Wang Feng leading the charge.
This time, Spain's defense didn't completely neglect Dongfang Zhuo. Facing Salgado, the Chinese youngster struggled to find an opening for a shot and lost possession.
In the 89th minute, China repeated their strategy. Wang Feng successfully brought the ball into the opponent's half despite being double-teamed, with Salgado closely marking Dongfang Zhuo.
Wang Feng faked a pass, tricking Marchena into committing, then skillfully maneuvered past him, before flicking the ball forward and leaving Juanito behind in a sprint.
The sheer force of his charge caught Juanito off guard, creating a momentary gap for Wang Feng to penetrate the penalty area. Despite Juanito's desperate attempt to catch up, Wang Feng blocked him with his arm and entered the box.
As strong as Juanito's defensive skills were, Wang Feng's strength surpassed his. After blocking Juanito, Wang Feng didn't hesitate to shoot from a tight angle. The ball rocketed towards the left side of the goal, with Casillas stretching his body to the limit but failing to reach it. The ball struck the inside of the left post before bouncing into the net.
"Goal!! Wang Feng's angled shot from inside the penalty area! China has equalized!"
"Wang Feng faced unprecedented tight marking throughout the match, and this is his first shot, straight into the net!"
"Dongfang Zhuo successfully diverted Salgado's defensive attention, allowing Wang Feng to score with a brilliant solo effort!"
"With time running out, let's pray together, spectators in front of the TV, as we witness China creating new history, successfully advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup!"
As the German referee Sandh?us blew the final whistle, the entire stadium was engulfed in a sea of red. Thousands of Chinese fans waved their prepared flags, turning the stadium into a home ground for China!
Many fans were in tears, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions from trailing behind to a dramatic comeback. They deeply understood the significance of this hard-fought victory.
Players, coaches, and staff from the bench rushed onto the field, embracing the heroes on the pitch. Wang Feng and Dongfang Zhuo were the center of attention as countless people hugged them tightly.
Head coach Alihan paced excitedly on the sidelines, waving his arms to express his jubilation. This match had been extremely difficult, with news of Ukraine leading by two goals causing him to almost lose hope.
Fortunately, the players on the field didn't give up, and neither did Wang Feng. It was their perseverance that earned China a precious point, securing their spot in the round of 16 as the second-place finisher in the group!
This chapt𝙚r is updated by fr(e)ew𝒆bnov(e)l.com