Chapter 814: Anticipating the Peak Encounter
The Chinese team's narrow victory over England to advance was unexpected, but also reasonable.
Everyone praised Wang Feng for leading the team's fighting spirit. While the attack was splendid, it was the defense that won the championship!
The Times expressed shock at the unity of the Chinese team, noting that with proper command and mutual advance and retreat, they blocked England's surging attacks one after another.
"We can feel that every Chinese player looks at Wang with admiration and trust, a trust that dares to entrust their lives."
"So they throw themselves into defense without regard for their own safety, and the Chinese superstar opens the door to victory for his teammates."
In contrast, England felt somewhat scattered, with many attacking opportunities but lacking obvious coordination, missing by a hair's breadth.
Kicker magazine believed that Wang Feng's dominance still existed. Unlike eight years ago when it was turbulent, this time he led the Chinese team steadily forward.
In the past four games, they scored six goals, a slight decrease compared to the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, but they only conceded two goals, showing a significant improvement in defense.
"The players on the field always surround the Chinese superstar, giving their all to provide strength, a phenomenon not seen in other participating teams."
"We can't predict how far the Chinese team will go, but we know they will not leave any regrets."
If Wang Feng would not leave any regrets, then Messi would leave with full of regrets. In a thrilling offensive battle, he still couldn't break his World Cup knockout stage goal drought.
Di Maria, Mercado, and Aguero all contributed their efforts, but they faced Mbappe, who scored three goals alone in this game, securing a brace and winning a penalty to help his country beat Argentina 4-3.
The media and clubs around the world were stunned for a while, with all eyes focused on this rising star.
Now in the transition phase of football's old and new generations, it was difficult for the Chinese superstar to return to his dominant state. Many people favored Mbappe to take over his dominant position.
In response, the French star expressed his respect and admiration for Wang Feng in an interview: "I grew up watching Wang play football. He is my only idol, whether in the past, present, or future, he is undoubtedly the greatest player."
"As for successors and the like, countless predecessors must have been called that in the past, but all faded away with time."
"My greatest wish now is to stand on the same field as Wang. I believe he will stand at the peak waiting for my arrival!"
What Mbappe said naturally referred to the World Cup final. According to the matchups in the upper and lower halves of the bracket, for the Chinese team and the French team to meet, it could only be in the final or the third-place match.
Similarly, Messi and Ronaldo left the field with disappointment. Portugal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay.
Two years ago, their unexpected European Championship victory masked many problems. The lack of talent in midfield and forward positions forced them to rely solely on Cristiano Ronaldo.
During the game, he was surrounded by Uruguayan defenders and struggled to break free, while the South American powerhouse had a solid defensive line with Godin and Gimenez at the center and Suarez and Cavani up front.
The hosts Russia faced Spain, enduring 120 minutes of battle with a 1-1 draw. They managed to eliminate the Bulls in a penalty shootout, causing a significant upset.
Croatia also entered the World Cup quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw with Denmark, winning in a penalty shootout with more stable performance.
Brazil easily defeated Mexico 2-0, making their match the most relaxed of all eight games.
Belgium almost capsized against Colombia. After leading by one goal, they were quickly reversed by two consecutive goals but managed to advance with a 3-2 turnaround in the last five minutes.
The clash between Sweden and Switzerland was probably the most low-key match in the round of sixteen, with no significant incidents. Sweden won 1-0.
The next opponent for the Chinese team will be Sweden.
This Swedish team doesn't have many famous stars. As early as May of this year, the most famous striker, Ibrahimovic, announced that he would not participate in this World Cup, which was regrettable.
His feud with the national team has been going on for a long time, and in March, he terminated his contract with Manchester United to join the LA Galaxy, effectively ending his international career.
Apart from him, only Lindelof plays for a top-five league powerhouse, while the other regulars play for clubs like Swansea, Werder Bremen, and RB Leipzig.
However, these tall and sturdy Nordic players are obviously superior to the Chinese team in physical fitness, frequently using confrontations to challenge and intimidate their opponents during the game.
Wang Feng, in particular, attracted most of the firepower and was subject to targeted fouls such as sliding tackles, pulling, and pushing, leaving him bruised all over after the game.
But efforts eventually paid off. In the 67th minute of the second half, the Chinese superstar retreated to the backcourt, intercepted the ball at the right moment, and immediately passed it to Yang Ronghua.
After a slight adjustment, Yang Ronghua quickly sent a long pass, signaling a counterattack for the Chinese team.
Huang Hu, who was at the forefront, won the first touch, outjumping Swedish defender Augustinsson to head the ball back.
Feng Miao, who followed up, took the ball, faced the defensive pressure, and decisively passed it to Wang Feng.
The Chinese superstar continued to advance and suddenly pushed the ball forward, accurately threading it between the legs of Lindelof, who was running, with perfect timing.
The Swedish defender was taken aback and quickly reached out to grab Wang Feng, but his explosive force at that moment was too astonishing. He shook off the entanglement.
Of course, Wang Feng couldn't adjust his body as quickly as he did when he was young to continue charging forward, but that's okay, he still had his teammates!
Before losing balance and falling, the Chinese superstar stretched out his right foot to make a scoop pass. The ball drew an arc on the grass and went around the central defender directly to the back post of the penalty area.
Wu Lei, who quickly inserted himself, didn't waste the hard-earned opportunity. He calmly shot near the corner, and the ball passed between goalkeeper Olsen's legs, rolling into the Swedish goal.
1-0! The entire Samara Arena erupted in joy, and the Chinese fans who had come from afar were caught up in a frenzy.
Wu Lei looked at his feet, then at the ball in the goal, and then realized the achievement he had accomplished. He roared and ran towards Wang Feng. "I did it, I really did it!"
Wang Feng understood his feelings. As a forward who often missed excellent opportunities, sometimes psychological pressure was more deadly than technical skills.
So he ran to the sidelines with Wu Lei, grabbed his hand, and raised it high to show everyone that this crucial goal was scored by Wu Lei!
Building confidence starts now!
"Wang Feng's pass was very clever, bending to avoid the defending players while still accurately finding the teammate at the back post."
"Wu Lei's shot was also excellent, not kicking over or directly at the goalkeeper this time. It's really not easy."
This goal gradually eroded Sweden's iron and blood will. Although they still dominated possession and continuously tried to create opportunities, they never formed a real threat.
The Chinese team once again achieved a narrow victory and advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals!
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience