Chapter 626: Spanish Settlement
After the match against Nigeria, although they smoothly advanced, the players who felt they had performed poorly wanted to stay and train more, but head coach Lippi stopped them, "You've done your best today, and the high-intensity competition has exceeded your physical load. You need to rest well."
The Italian emphasized the attitude towards the game, praising the players for their perseverance and fighting spirit on the field today. Even though their physical fitness was slightly inferior compared to the African powerhouses, they didn't have any thoughts of giving up under immense pressure, and they fought with determination.
"Under my coaching, you've achieved full marks. Don't worry, kids. Always maintain the mentality you had in today's game, absorb nutrients on the European football stage to your heart's content, and believe that your growth will soon exceed your imagination!"
Upon hearing this, everyone showed a longing expression, while Wang Feng looked at them with satisfaction. These were the future of Chinese football. The players who emerged from the Genk Training Camp originally had decent talent, and coupled with their hardworking spirit, becoming top stars was not impossible.
The news of the Chinese team's smooth advancement to the Confederations Cup semi-finals relieved domestic fans and media. Although they ultimately relied on Wang Feng's superhuman performance to pass through danger, they saw many different things from this team.
"The future is promising!" Everyone couldn't help but feel this way. Even if Wang Feng and other leading figures gradually faded away in the future, the Chinese team still had the chance to stand at the top of Asia.
Foreign media focused more on Wang Feng. The French newspaper, "L'Equipe," bluntly stated that with 5 goals and 2 assists in the three group matches, Wang Feng's legendary solo run, which dribbled past five players, made him seem like he was reversing in age.
"The 32 participating teams in the World Cup in Brazil should consider themselves lucky because they no longer have Wang as their opponent. He is so wonderful and unpredictable that he is a nightmare for all players and coaches in this knockout cup competition."
"Sports Image News" also mentioned Wang Feng's "uncontrollability," attaching a stunning snapshot of the Chinese superstar shaking off the Nigerian goalkeeper at the end of the match.
"When we all thought he would choose to pass but instead dribbled past, and then unexpectedly passed at the right moment, Wang's ability to read the game on the spot is far superior to spectators, leaving opponents puzzled but very effective."
With the showdown against Spain looming, as the core of the team, Iniesta, said in an interview before the match that they had a score to settle with the Chinese team and Wang Feng.
He was referring to the scene three years ago when they were eliminated by the opponent's last-minute goal in the semi-finals of the World Cup in South Africa. Same stage, same opponents, this time the Matadors wanted to erase their past humiliation.
When asked about Iniesta's remarks, Wang Feng was surprised for a moment, then smiled and said, "I didn't expect Andres to have a talent for accounting. If I remember correctly, there are many scores to settle between him and me."
"But that's okay because after the match, there will be another entry in his account. The match hasn't even started yet, but the confrontation between the two sides has become very intense.
On June 27th, at the Brasilia National Stadium, the Confederations Cup semi-final between Spain and China officially kicked off.
The Matadors still lined up in their familiar 4-3-3 possession formation, with goalkeeper Valdes.
In defense were Alba, Pique, Ramos, and Arbeloa.
In midfield were Xavi, Busquets, and Fabregas.
In attack were Pedro, Soldado, and Iniesta.
On the Chinese side, Wang Feng withdrew to the midfield position to facilitate better organization in attack and defense, while young player Wu Lei was added to the front line to strengthen counter-attacking capabilities.
The match started with the Matadors quickly taking control of possession and trying to increase the pace. After several rounds of passing in midfield, Iniesta delivered the ball to Pedro at the edge of the penalty area.
Using his skilled footwork to dribble past two Chinese defenders in succession, the Spanish forward saw an opportunity to shoot!
But before he could celebrate for long, Wang Feng, who was protecting from a distance, quickly rushed out and cleanly tackled the ball. "Mierda!" Pedro couldn't help but curse. This feeling was too familiar, as if he was back in the recent century showdown in the Spanish league.
Next, the Chinese superstar helped Iniesta, Fabregas, and Xavi relive their old dreams, frustrating them to the point of despair, even Ramos, who was his teammate at Real Madrid, couldn't escape unscathed.
In the 17th minute, Xavi and Iniesta broke through into the arc area through a series of wall passes. Facing the densely packed defense, Iniesta made a precise pass to Ramos.
The Spanish defender immediately took advantage of the space down the wing, but Wang Feng, who was already prepared, quickly approached, engaging in two consecutive physical confrontations, forcing the opponent to slow down, then slid in with a tackle, disrupting the ball out of play and bringing Ramos down in the process.
Since he touched the ball first, there was no controversy over a foul, and he even hooked it out of play before making contact, causing the ball to hit Ramos' foot before going out of play, giving China possession!
What could have been a great opportunity turned into a mistake. Ramos rubbed his sore shoulders, looking puzzled, while the Chinese superstar reached out to help him up.
"I now understand why the Barcelona players in the Spanish national team grit their teeth when they mention you," Ramos said. "Your defense is too strong. You don't even give us a chance."
"Of course, today I'm going to snuff out all your attacks!" Wang Feng confidently declared. This group of people, along with top attackers like Messi, couldn't penetrate his defense, let alone now.
Under frequent defensive pressure, the Chinese team also got several good counterattack opportunities. With Wang Feng withdrawing to participate more in organizing, Dong Fangzhuo's expertise was also in playmaking, leaving the task of finishing at the doorstep to young players Huang Hu and Wu Lei.
However, the two still lacked in this aspect, especially Wu Lei. His forward runs were outstanding, but he missed two one-on-one chances, one flying over and the other being intercepted by Valdes under pressure.
Seeing Wu Lei's frustrated expression, the Chinese superstar walked up and patted his head, "Don't burden yourself too much. Just do what you usually practice on the field."
"If you keep thinking you won't score before shooting, you'll eventually lose the courage to shoot when it matters." Wu Lei was somewhat surprised that Wang Feng could see even this.
Slapping his cheeks, he firmly said, "I got it. Hesitation is useless. Going straight ahead is the right way. I'm a player who has scored in a World Cup final!"
"Haha, of course!"
The deadlock continued until the 81st minute, when the Chinese team launched another quick counterattack. Dong Fangzhuo received a through ball from Feng Miao and dribbled down the wing, then made a back-pass.
Huang Hu pretended to make a run to receive the ball, attracting Pique to dive and block, leaving Busquets out of position, but he cleverly let the ball roll to the top of the arc area. Very smart move!
Wang Feng caught up and fired a shot with all his might, blasting through Valdes' hands and into the net!
1:0! With this unexpected goal, the Chinese team knocked out Spain and advanced to the Confederations Cup final!
Later, Spain defeated Uruguay to secure third place in the tournament, jokingly referred to by fans as "Europe's first, the world's third."
As for Iniesta, who had to settle another score, people called him the "accountant by the Besos River."
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