Chapter 842: First Battle Arrives! China vs. Argentina!

Before the match even started, the Chinese team's manager was sacrificed to the heavens; this did not seem like a good omen.

But everything must be viewed relatively; from the perspective of the sacrifice strategy, Li Tie ascending to heaven might very well be a good thing for the national football team.

Let us hope Brother Tie can cheer on the team he once worked for from up in the sky!

Dongqiu Di Hot Discussion: Detailed statistical comparison between the Chinese and Argentine national teams across all aspects.

1. China's expected starting lineup value: 325 million EUR > Argentina's expected starting lineup value: 299 million EUR.

2. Composition of Chinese fans: China, Manchester United, Dortmund, England, Netherlands, Portugal > Composition of Argentine fans: Argentina, Barcelona, Paris.

3. Total Ballon d'Or awards for the Chinese team: 4 < Total Ballon d'Or awards for Argentina: 5.

4. Number of people sacrificed by the Chinese team before the match: 3 > Number of people sacrificed by Argentina before the match: 0.

There are many objective statistics; if one looks only at these objective data, the gap between the Chinese team and Argentina is actually not that large.

However, the author of this comparison article was quickly roasted, as this fellow was suspected of subtly mocking the Chinese team.

Be down-to-earth in your work; these so-called "data comparisons" are meaningless.

Believe in Tang Tang Qiuwang, believe in the Chinese team!

Believe in the Emperor Armor, believe in the light!

The 22nd, the day of the match.

Lusail Stadium.

The 80,000-seat stadium was bustling with excitement; the Chinese fan expedition force sang outside the venue, displaying an attitude of being fully prepared for battle.

【CCTV】

"Go China!!!"

Everyone recognized the fan shouting at the camera; this was a very famous Chinese team supporter: He Sheng.

During the 2017 World Cup qualifiers, He Sheng loudly shouted "RNM, worth the money," instantly transforming into an internet football celebrity.

"The fans watching live are also extremely excited."

"Mr. He, since you are here, what is your outlook for today's match?"

"We must cheer! Regardless of victory or defeat, we must show our momentum in the first match!"

"Yes, we must show our momentum!"

He Sheng's statement received support from the fans nearby.

"Argentina is indeed very strong; there is nothing we can do about that, but this is the draw result, and as fans, all we can do is support."

As an old-school fan, it was clear He Sheng's mindset was quite good: "0-2, 0-3, it doesn't matter; honestly, even 0-4 is fine, but we hope to see the national team players perform in this match and bring out their true strength!"

"Yes! Exactly!"

"The score doesn't matter; we must bring out our true strength!"

The reporter nodded: "Hmm, it seems our fans on site are quite tolerant of the Chinese team players and very understanding regarding this draw result."

"Correct, as long as they bring out their strength, that is enough."

He Sheng squeezed forward to get closer to the microphone: "The problem with the Chinese team is that they rely too heavily on Tang Ye; whenever there is a major tournament, apart from Tang Ye, other players get cold feet and fail to perform at their true level. So for this match, I think the key is not the score; football involves both wins and losses! We accept losing to Argentina; the main thing is that the players on the field must not get cold feet and must demonstrate their proper abilities; only then will we have hope for the future!"

"Hope?"

The reporter caught the keyword in He Sheng's words: "Then what do you consider to be this hope?"

"Well..."

Counting on his fingers, He Sheng analyzed his ideal scenario plan for the reporter and the fans on site: "First, in the first match, we lose to Argentina, but that doesn't matter; actually, we don't need to worry about goal difference either; just finding our match rhythm is enough."

"Second, playing against Germany; Germany is much stronger this year than when they played Russia, so we won't aim for a win; getting a draw will suffice."

"Finally, we beat Wales; three group stage matches, four points, advancing to the knockout stage!" He Sheng flung his arms upward, acting very carefree.

"Wow!!"

"Haha!"

Once He Sheng made this statement, the fans nearby burst into laughter and even started heckling.

The plan was too idealistic!

But having said that, this result is exactly what Chinese fans hope to see.

Forcing their way through the pressure of the Group of Death to advance to the knockout stage!

Isn't this even more exaggerated than the Miracle of Russia?

"We probably can't draw with Germany."

Someone said this without revealing their identity; He Sheng immediately turned his head, and the reporter's camera quickly followed.

"It is indeed very difficult, but I think there is still a chance."

"Back when Russia played, no one said China could beat Germany, right?"

"What we need is a miracle; if you don't believe in miracles, why watch football!"

"Well said!"

"Draw with Germany!"

"Wow!!!"

Dongqiu Di Hot Discussion: What do you think? Brother Worth-the-Money He Sheng accepts reporter interview: Chinese team draws with Germany, beats Wales, accumulates 4 points, and advances to the knockout stage.

He Sheng is a representative of idealism, but to be honest, many Chinese fans think exactly like him.

Although they are in the Group of Death, fans, especially football fans, always believe in miracles.

So what if they are behind after 90 minutes? Last-minute equalizers and comebacks in stoppage time are commonplace in history!

"Team China!"

"Let's go!"

"Team China!"

"Let's go!"

"Let's go! Let's go!!"

"..."

Tang Ye leaned against the wall of the player tunnel; from here, he could clearly hear the shouts of the fans in the stands and distinctly make out his own name.

He reached into his jacket pocket, intending to pull out a piece of chewing gum.

Looking at his hand, Tang Ye only just then realized that it was trembling.

"Hiss, hiss..."

"Hoo..."

"Are... are you okay?"

Wu Lei, having just returned from the restroom, looked at Tang Ye and took the initiative to step forward and give him a hug.

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

Tang Ye pushed Wu Lei away: "Not a single problem, it's nothing."

"Let's go in."

"..."

"I know you're all under immense pressure right now; I am too, and my pressure is even greater than yours!"

Escriva roared in the locker room: "We've prepared for so long just for this match, so don't have any reservations—bring out your full strength!"

"Soon, one billion people will be watching you on television; yes, one billion! We may lose the match, but we must play the football that belongs to us!"

"Team China should still have hope!"

While Escriva was speaking, Tang Ye simply leaned against the cabinets at the back, clenching his teeth tightly.

As a four-time Ballon d'Or winner, he had never feared a match this much before.

His opponent was Messi, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner in his career, yet this was not the source of his fear; what Tang Ye feared was the Argentine national team as a whole, with Messi serving as its representative.

In Group C of the group stage, there were four teams in total, with clear hierarchies; lower-ranked teams ought to bow their heads to higher-ranked ones.