Chapter 878: Semifinal, Opponent: The Defending Champion

“Deng-deng-deng-deng-deng, deng-deng-deng-deng-deng-deng!”

“Deng-deng-deng, deng!”

【66666】

【Chinese National Team, awesome! Come on, come on!】

【Ref, give us your WeChat payment code, Alipay’s fine too】

【Watch me, Escriba—how do you handle Dembélé and Mbappé? Seems tricky…】

【Always support the Chinese national team, always tearful with emotion!】

“Biiiiiiii!”

“Alright, the match begins!”

“Now I’ll introduce the starting lineups. First, the home team, the Chinese men’s national team, wearing red jerseys…”

There were major adjustments to China’s starting XI: Deng Hanwen replaced Zhang Linpeng, who was suspended for a red card, and Jiang Guangtai was benched.

Deng Hanwen starting is understandable, but Jiang Guangtai on the bench…

Is Escriba planning to give up the semifinal and focus straight on the third-place playoff?

“And now, the away team, France!”

France (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Lloris

Defenders: Koundé, Varane, Konaté, Theo Hernández

Midfielders: Chouaméni, Griezmann, Youssouf Fofana

Forwards: Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé

Head coach: Deschamps

France is one of the few teams in this World Cup whose starting lineup’s total market value exceeds China’s. This defending champion’s starting XI is valued at a staggering 640 million euros, with Dembélé and Mbappé being the most absurd—each worth nearly 200 million euros.

“Allez!”

“Allez les Bleus!”

Lusail Stadium, fitting for a final, creates an atmosphere unmatched by the Gulf Stadium—80,000 spectators in the stands.

“Theo Hernández receives the pass from Fofana.”

“He’s drifting wide!”

“Oh, Hernández looks like he’s trying to combine with Mbappé!”

As Hernández drives forward, France’s entire attacking line surges ahead in unison.

Though the match has barely begun, Chinese players already feel as if they’re facing an imminent threat.

Deng Hanwen and Wu Xi are retreating.

“Don’t go over! Don’t go over!”

Tang Ye signals his teammates to abandon the tackle on Hernández.

Upon receiving the signal, Wu Xi becomes far more cautious, leaving Hernández with a massive open space.

Hernández doesn’t hesitate—he strides forward and claims his position.

“Watch the center!”

Pah!

The moment Tang Ye speaks, Hernández delivers the cross.

Chi Zhongguo and Griezmann are tightly marked.

Griezmann jostles the nearby defender, then quickly passes to Dembélé.

Pressure shifts to the left flank!

Wang Shenchao vs. Dembélé—one-on-one!

Pah-pah!

Alternating left and right foot, Dembélé closes in on Wang Shenchao with astonishing speed; his constantly shifting rhythm leaves Wang unable to time his tackle.

Pah!

He plays a cut-back cross—Chouaméni receives it at the arc.

He takes one step to adjust, readying himself.

Boom!

Tang Ye slides in, using his body to block Chouaméni’s long-range shot.

“Beautiful! Tang Ye!”

“Zhu Chenjie, come up!”

“Oh!!!!!!”

The crowd erupts—Zhu Chenjie beats Fofana to the ball.

“Go on! Go on yourself!”

Tang Ye turns and sprints forward, preparing for a counterattack.

But Zhu Chenjie had barely run a few steps when Hernández stuck out a foot and intercepted the ball.

“Damn it!”

Tang Ye immediately stops and sprints back to defend, but by the time he reaches his position, France has already shot—Giroud blasts it high into the stands.

“Look where you’re going when you’re dribbling!”

Tang Ye yells at Zhu Chenjie: “He’s right in front of you! Didn’t you see him coming? Shield the ball or just pass right!”

Wu Lei runs over and slaps Tang Ye’s hand: “Calm down, calm down—just hold steady.”

When facing strong teams, Tang Ye often panics, which isn’t good for the whole team.

Escriba stands outside the pitch, hands in pockets, eyes half-lidded, utterly motionless—as if frozen. Meanwhile, Ma Di, seated, keeps shaking his leg; his laptop on his thigh bounces with each movement—no one knows if his eyes can even focus on the screen.

Pah!

Wang Dalei launches a long pass.

Wei Shihao, waiting on the left flank, receives it.

The Chinese winger stretches his foot to control the ball, but misjudges the landing point—it hits the grass.

Wei Shihao tries to collect it, but Varane denies him—blocks his path and kicks the ball out of bounds.

“Wow!”

“...China seems to be struggling to create good attacking chances.”

“So far, every French player is in excellent form. Most crucially, France clearly prioritizes defense on all three channels.”

China beat Spain and the Netherlands partly because the opponents underestimated them.

But China’s string of upsets has made France treat them with extreme seriousness.

To the current French team, China is a powerful, evenly matched opponent—only by giving everything can they hope to win!

This viewpoint was quickly confirmed.

“Tang Ye, take the wing yourself!”

“Fofana’s position is great—Hernández is closing in.”

Facing both Fofana and Hernández at once, Tang Ye finds no opening to pass the ball.

Just as he prepares to exploit Hernández’s opening, a hand suddenly lands on his shoulder.

Mbappé cuts off his space from the side, combining with his two teammates to easily suffocate Tang Ye.

“...”

“Damn!”

Sitting on the ground, Tang Ye is utterly speechless.

This is the first time France and China have met in a World Cup—France knows nothing about the Chinese team.

But they know Tang Ye.

“Attack the team by targeting the star—lose the star, the team dies.” That phrase always holds true for China.

Live update: 26th minute, Tang Ye’s corner to Zhang Yuning, Konaté clears easily.

Live update: Giroud’s header hits the post.

Just three minutes after Giroud’s header struck the post, France creates another strong attacking chance—again from Dembélé on the right flank.