Chapter 878: Semi-Finals: The Opponent is the Defending Champion

"Deng deng deng deng deng deng, deng deng deng!"

"Deng deng deng, deng!"

【66666】

【National Football Team is awesome! Go, go!】

【Referee, give us a WeChat payment QR code; Alipay works too.】

【Leave it to our Holy E, but how do we handle Dembélé and Mbappé? Feels a bit tricky...】

【Always support the National Football Team, always moved to tears!】

"Beep——!!!"

"Alright, the match begins!"

"Now I will introduce the starting lineups for both sides; first, the home team, the Chinese Men's Football Team, wearing red jerseys..."

The National Football Team has made significant adjustments to their starting lineup: Deng Deng Hanwen replaces Zhang Zhang Linpeng, who is suspended due to a red card, and Jiang Guangtai has also been moved to the bench.

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

Could Escrivá be preparing to abandon the semi-final and focus directly on the third-place match?

"And now, the away team, France!"

France (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Lloris

Defenders: Koundé, Varane, Konaté, Theo Hernández

Midfielders: Tchouaméni, 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 that of the National Football Team; the defending champion's starting eleven is valued as high as 640 million euros, with Dembélé and Mbappé being the most extravagant among them, each valued at around 200 million euros.

"Allez! (Go!)"

"Allez les Bleus! (Go Blue Army!)"

As expected of a final venue, the Lusail Stadium's atmosphere created by its 80,000-seat stands is truly incomparable to that of the Al Bayt Stadium.

"Theo Hernández receives the pass from Fofana."

"He's pulling out wide on his own!"

"Oh, Hernández seems to be looking to combine with Mbappé here!"

As Hernández drives forward with the ball, the entire French attacking line shifts rapidly ahead.

Although the match has only just begun, the Chinese players already feel as though they are facing a formidable enemy.

Deng Deng Hanwen and Wu Xi are retreating.

"Don't go over, don't go over!"

Tang Ye signals his teammates to give up on intercepting Hernández directly.

Receiving the signal, Wu Xi becomes much more conservative in his movements, leaving a huge gap for Hernández.

Hernández doesn't stand on ceremony with his opponent, striding forward to claim his position.

"Watch the center!"

Pa!

Just as Tang Ye's words finish, Hernández delivers the cross.

Chi Chi Zhongguo and Griezmann are locked together.

Griezmann bumps the nearby defender, then quickly passes the ball to Dembélé.

Pressure arrives on the left flank!

A one-on-one duel between Wang Wang Shenchao and Dembélé!

Pa pa!

Alternating control between his left and right feet, Dembélé approaches Wang Wang Shenchao at an incredibly exaggerated speed; the French forward's constantly changing rhythm makes it difficult for Wang Wang Shenchao to gauge the right moment to tackle.

Pa!

A cut-back cross is delivered, and Tchouaméni, positioned at the edge of the box, takes control.

Adjusting his step, Tchouaméni prepares himself.

Bang!

Tang Ye executes a sliding tackle, using his body to block Tchouaméni's long-range shot.

"Beautiful! Tang Ye!"

"Zhu Zhu Chenjie, push up!"

"Oh!!!!"

Gasps erupt from the crowd as Zhu Zhu Chenjie reaches the ball a step ahead of Fofana.

"Dribble it yourself, dribble it yourself!"

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

But Zhu Zhu Chenjie had only run a few steps before Hernández stuck out a foot and dispossessed him.

"Damn it!"

Tang Ye hurriedly stops and turns to rush back into defense, all the way until France completes their shot, with Giroud blasting the ball into the stands.

"Look when you're dribbling!"

Tang Ye shouts at Zhu Zhu Chenjie: "Isn't he right in front of you? Shield the ball when you see him coming, or just pass to the right!"

Wu Lei runs over and high-fives Tang Ye: "Calm down, calm down, just hold steady."

When playing against strong teams, Tang Ye often grew anxious, which was never a good thing for the team as a whole.

Escrivá stood off the pitch, hands in his pockets, eyes narrowed, completely motionless as if frozen; in contrast, Marti, seated nearby, kept shaking his leg, causing the laptop resting on his thigh to vibrate along with it—one wondered how he could possibly focus on the text on the screen under such conditions.

Slap!

Wang Wang Dalei launched a long pass.

Waiting on the left flank to receive the ball was Wei Wei Shihao.

The Chinese national team's winger stretched out his foot to control the ball, but he misjudged the landing point, and ultimately the ball slammed onto the grass.

Wei Wei Shihao prepared to take possession, but Varane gave him no chance, blocking with his body and kicking the ball out of bounds in one motion.

"Wow!"

"... It seems the Chinese team is struggling to find good attacking opportunities."

"So far, every French player is in excellent form. Most crucially, France is clearly placing great emphasis on defending all three lines."

One major reason China could defeat Spain and the Netherlands was their opponents' underestimation.

Moreover, this string of shocking upsets had made France regard China as an opponent demanding utmost seriousness.

It could only be said that, in the eyes of the current French squad, China was a formidable, evenly matched opponent; only by going all out did they stand any chance of victory!

This viewpoint would soon be proven correct.

"Tang Ye, take it yourself on the wing!"

"Fofana is in a great position here; Hernández is closing in."

Facing both Fofana and Hernández simultaneously, Tang Ye could not immediately find an opportunity to play the ball out.

Just as he prepared to exploit the gap Hernández had left, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

Mbappé blocked the space from the side; coordinating with two teammates, he easily completed the strangulation of Tang Ye.

"..."

"Damn!"

Sitting on the ground, Tang Ye was utterly speechless.

This was the first encounter between France and China at the World Cup; France knew virtually nothing about the Chinese national team, understanding nothing at all.

But they did understand Tang Ye!

"In a team fight, target the carry first; once the carry is gone, the team dies on the spot"—this saying always held true for the Chinese team.

Live match report: 26th minute, Tang Ye played a set piece from the back field to Zhang Zhang Yuning; Konaté easily cleared the danger.

Live match report: Giroud made a forward run and headed the ball against the post.

Just three minutes after Giroud's header struck the post, France created another excellent attacking opportunity, this one once again originating from Dembélé on the right wing.