Chapter 671: Back and Forth
"Don't panic, keep up our rhythm!" Ancelotti shouted loudly to the players while the opponents celebrated their goal.
Wang Feng also wandered among his teammates, comforting and encouraging them. Having experienced countless life-and-death tests in major competitions, most of them felt disappointed at conceding an early goal but wouldn't panic.
With the game restarted, the Galacticos continued to exert pressure on Barcelona, showing no signs of backing down despite being behind.
Their tactics proved effective as they quickly created two chances in succession. One interception by Bale in midfield led to a direct pass, Iguaín's shot was blocked by Alves in the penalty area, and then saved by Ter Stegen.
Another opportunity saw Di María dribble past several defenders into the left side of the box, passing to Wang Feng, who shot from 12 meters out, but his attempt went wide under pressure from the defenders.
However, as Real Madrid intensified their interceptions, Barcelona's penetration efficiency also decreased. Attempts by Xavi and Iniesta to find Messi with through balls were unsuccessful.
In the 20th minute, Modric intercepted the ball in midfield, then found Wang Feng with a direct pass. The Chinese star dribbled past Busquets and entered the edge of the box.
Facing Mascherano's interception, the Chinese superstar quickly passed to Di María on the right side, who had more space. The Argentine cut inside into the box, facing Alves one-on-one.
He feigned to shoot with his left foot to create space, then cut back inside as the Brazilian defender moved to block, before delivering a back-heel pass.
At this moment, Wang Feng made a diagonal run from the right rib of the penalty area, entered the left side of the small box, evaded Piqué's challenge, and shot while falling to the ground, pushing it into the visitors' net. 1-1, the Galacticos equalized!
Just three minutes later, Bale's breakthrough on the wing was disrupted by Alba's sliding tackle, resulting in a throw-in for Real Madrid.
Isco went outside the field to pick up the ball, raised it high, then threw it into the vicinity of the penalty area with force. The Welsh star outjumped the Barcelona defenders and headed the ball back to Wang Feng.
The Chinese superstar controlled the ball with his chest, intending to unload and dribble again. However, he noticed Ter Stegen's position too close to the near post, leaving a gap at the back.
So, he volleyed with his right foot, a shot that flew swiftly and deceptively, curving in a peculiar C-shaped arc in the air.
Initially heading towards the near post, the ball curved farther away, and by the time Ter Stegen realized something was wrong and desperately shifted and dived to save, it was too late.
The ball passed over his fingertips, grazed the right post, and entered the net. "Gooooooooooooooal! The ball's in! Real Madrid takes the lead just three minutes after equalizing! 2-1!"
"It's an astonishing volley from Wang Feng at 25 meters. Nobody expected him to shoot from that position directly; it's incredibly imaginative!"
"Moments ago, the Chinese superstar scored with a diving header to equalize for the Galacticos. Now, he's scored again with a rapid brace. His form is red-hot!"
"The teamwork from the home team was impeccable. Isco's quick throw caught Barcelona off guard, Bale's aerial duel and assist were perfectly timed."
"Of course, the most crucial part was Wang Feng's attacking instinct. He decisively executed a back-heel volley with perfect power and angle."
"From the result, Barcelona's goalkeeper Ter Stegen's positioning was questionable. But in fact, any goalkeeper in that situation tends to lean towards the side of the ball, rather than protecting the far post."
After Real Madrid took the lead, the game's pace soared, and both teams' players fully unleashed their abilities, with frequent and rapid transitions between midfield battles and attacks.
Barcelona planned their attacks, with Iniesta dribbling through the middle and finding opportunities for through balls, allowing Messi to break free from Pepe's marking and make a run into the box.
Ramos immediately chased to provide support defense. Faced with the Argentine, who was about to shoot, the Spanish defender slid in and cleanly cleared the ball before Messi could get a shot off.
Frustrated, Messi slapped the turf as he wished he had shot earlier or attempted to dribble past the sliding tackle of the Spanish defender. Such a great opportunity had been wasted by himself.
Scenes like this continued to unfold, with both sides creating chances back and forth. The atmosphere at the Bernabéu was filled with continuous exclamations from the fans, who dared not blink, fearing they might miss crucial moments.
As the game approached halftime, in the 42nd minute, Messi acted as a pivot in the center, receiving a pass from Xavi and passing it to Neymar on the wing. Neymar passed it back immediately, and Messi played a one-two with the Brazilian forward, helping him break free from the defense.
At the same time, Messi positioned himself in the box, awaiting a pass. Neymar understood his intentions perfectly and delivered a low cross to the near post, where Messi struck the ball directly into the far corner.
The ball was swift and cunning, evading the legs of Ramos and Marcelo, and although Casillas stretched out his arm to save, it was not enough. The ball grazed the far post and went into the net. 2-2! Barcelona equalized again!
Three minutes later, in injury time, the away team pushed forward once more. Iniesta lofted the ball into the box, where Pepe and Neymar contested for a header. They collided and fell to the ground simultaneously, but the referee made no call.
The ball flew to the edge of the box due to their collision, where Modric controlled it and quickly passed it to Wang Feng to organize a counterattack.
The Chinese superstar dribbled forcefully into the opposition half, then made a diagonal pass to Bale, who had more space. Bale received the ball, slowed down to approach Alba, then suddenly accelerated towards the goal line, using a change of pace to create space before crossing into the box.
Mascherano cleared the ball ahead of Wang Feng, but when it reached the edge of the large penalty area, the arriving Higuaín controlled it and continued his run towards the wing, bypassing Piqué before passing it again.
Bale cut inside towards the penalty area, drawing the attention of the Barcelona defenders, making everyone think he intended to threaten the goal directly. However, he surprised everyone by backheeling the ball behind him.
Marcelo, who had advanced unnoticed, was perfectly positioned. With no defenders around him, the Brazilian defender assessed the situation in the box, then calmly adjusted his posture and delivered a cross.
The ball found Wang Feng, who was positioned near the small penalty area. This time, Mascherano had no chance to disrupt him. Wang Feng rose high, his knee even making contact with the Argentine defender's head.
He fiercely used his forehead to smash the ball downwards, and it passed under Ter Stegen's outstretched arm, into Barcelona's net! "The ball's in! Oh my God, another goal!"
"Just when we thought the first half would end in a draw, Real Madrid takes the lead again!"
"Wang Feng completes a hat-trick in just 45 minutes! It's him again, scoring with an unbelievable diving header to breach Barcelona's defense!"
"A header, a volley, and now this, his shooting is simply sensational!"
"The entire Bernabéu is chanting their hero's name; the Chinese superstar has not disappointed the fans!"
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