Chapter 884: Target: Lead at Halftime!

"Leo!"

"Leo!"

Not starting Leo for China's first XI is a move by Santos that is indeed quite abstract; even some Portuguese fans in the stands are getting anxious.

The opponent is a dark horse team that has successively beaten Argentina and Spain; don't mess this up!

The camera cuts to Santos.

The Portuguese head coach is indeed a bit old, but certainly not to the point of being unable to think independently.

"I feel Santos must have some consideration here."

"Hmm, he might want to use Leo as a surprise weapon?"

"I don't really approve of this approach; if Leo is to come on in the second half, then the Chinese team can fully utilize the first half to build an advantage."

Just as the commentator described, after receiving Portugal's starting lineup before the match, Escrivá was first surprised, then immediately made temporary tactical adjustments to the team.

Making temporary tactical adjustments before the match is a relatively radical move, especially for a mega-event like the World Cup; making such a choice requires great courage to back it up.

But who is Escrivá?

This is Saint-Esc!

Up to this final match of the World Cup, how many risks has Escrivá already taken? One more risk doesn't matter.

The opponent is Portugal, but the Chinese team must fight fiercely in the first half!

"Let's go, let's go!"

Tang Ye, pressing against Ruben Neves, executed a turn, received a pass from Wang Wang Shenchao, and then immediately sent a long ball straight to Wei Wei Shihao.

Wei Wei Shihao!

"Damn!"

Another mistake; Wei Wei Shihao accidentally let the ball slip past him.

"Oh!!!!"

Seeing this, B. Silva suddenly changed direction and charged straight for the ball.

Wei Wei Shihao was also chasing; from a God's-eye view, the distance between the two wasn't much different, but B. Silva's physical duel handling was clearly superior.

Snap!

B. Silva kicked the ball back to Dalot.

Wei Wei Shihao, also anxious, tackled B. Silva and knocked him to the ground.

"Beep!"

Yellow card: Wei Wei Shihao (CHN).

"Wei Wei Shihao, this... shouldn't have happened!"

"If the goal was already lost, then it was lost; why do something like that?"

"Hiss, Wei Wei Shihao's mentality is a major problem."

Less than five minutes into the match, Wei Wei Shihao received a yellow card, making Tang Ye feel nervous; he hurriedly shouted to Wei Wei Shihao: "Don't rush! Stay steady! Don't play like this!"

Wei Wei Shihao didn't speak, just raised a hand in the direction where Tang Ye was.

"Come on, come on!"

"Wei Wei Shihao, calm down! We can play!"

"China team, awesome!"

"..."

Wei Wei Shihao's mistake at the very start caused the Chinese team to play unsatisfactorily for the first ten minutes; at least on the left flank, they found no good opportunities.

Tang Ye was trying to maneuver, but he was tightly marked by Otavio and Ruben Neves; unless teammates offered support, there was little room for greater maneuvering.

"Wu Lei and Zhang Zhang Yuning, switch positions!"

"Wu Lei, find Tang Ye!"

"To Wei Wei Shihao! Beautiful, the passing on the Chinese side is very steady!"

"I feel there's still a chance to score before the first half ends!"

Receiving a pass from a teammate, Wei Wei Shihao finally didn't rush this time; he first made a feint move as if heading into the penalty area, waiting for Zhang Zhang Xizhe and Tang Ye to make their runs.

Zhang Zhang Xizhe quickly surged forward to draw the defense away from Tang Ye.

【Protected Person: Wei Wei Shihao】

【Vision: 58→68】

An opportunity!

Discovering a suitable passing lane between himself and Tang Ye, Wei Wei Shihao seized the chance.

Snap!

The pass was launched, handed over to Tang Ye!

The Chinese team captain reacted quickly; the moment he received the ball, he shifted his center of gravity upward, then immediately executed a ball-dragging turn.

Sensing Tang Ye's potential shooting intent, Wu Lei quickly moved out of the way ahead.

Tang Ye!

Snap!

The shot was taken; Diogo Costa immediately leaped out.

"Holy shit!"

"Costa! (Costa)"

"What a crucial save! (Perfect save)"

It had a hint of luck, but Costa indeed blocked Tang Ye's shot from such an extremely close range.

"Vamos!"

Pepe pulled Costa up from the ground, grabbing the goalkeeper's ears and shouting wildly; it was clear he was truly agitated.

"Don't kick like this!"

"Our defense cannot have any problems."

Cristiano Ronaldo was also anxious, hurriedly communicating with his teammates and issuing instructions.

After all, the Portuguese captain had been Tang Ye's club teammate for a season; since the Chinese team could pass the ball to Tang Ye outside the penalty area for the first time, there would certainly be a second similar pass.

At that time, it would still be Tang Ye taking the shot.

Could Costa still maintain his good luck then?

"Be careful!"

Cristiano Ronaldo pressed his hands downward, emphasizing to his teammates.

"Otávio, here, beautiful!"

"To Félix!"

"Félix to Cristiano Ronaldo!"

Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled a few steps in the center, then played a low, arcing through-ball; Bruno Fernandes, making a run up the right flank, easily controlled the ball.

"Wow!!!!"

This pass was truly magnificent, giving the feeling that Tang Ye had possessed him.

Bruno Fernandes cut diagonally toward the penalty area; Wang Wang Shenchao and Jiang Guangtai were getting ready.

Passing back to Dalot, Bruno Fernandes suddenly surged into the penalty box.

Dalot took a look and played a long cross-field pass to Otávio on the left flank.

Bang!

A shot was fired, but Otávio blasted the ball into the stands.

"Hey!"

Bruno Fernandes spread his hands toward Otávio: "I'm right here, can't you pass?"

"Damn!"

Waving his hand, Bruno Fernandes, somewhat angry, cursed and then complained, "Such a good chance!"

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: In the 25th minute, Bruno Fernandes found Cristiano Ronaldo with a corner kick; the latter's header lacked power, and the ball was secured by Wang Wang Dalei.

Just three minutes after Cristiano Ronaldo's header, Bruno Fernandes struck a direct free kick into the Chinese team's wall, only for the national team to immediately launch a counter-attack.

"Oh!!!"

"Quick, quick! To the right, the right! Not the left!"

Escrivá ran along the sideline as if he were also part of the counter-attacking players.

"Watch TY!"

Cristiano Ronaldo was an old hand; he directly signaled his teammates to target Tang Ye.

Just as he prepared to pass, he noticed a defender beside him; helplessly, Tang Ye could only first pass the ball to Wu Xi.

Wu Xi acted cleverly; instead of controlling the ball, he gently played a short through-ball ahead of Tang Ye, acting as a launcher for the long pass.

Tang Ye arrived at full gallop and delivered the long pass right in front of Rúben Neves.

"Wow!!!"

"Wu Lei!"

"Wu Lei's control!"

"Success!"

Fans and commentators breathed a huge sigh of relief as Wu Lei gained possession and began to advance.

His movements appeared slightly stiff; by the time Wu Lei approached the penalty area, center-backs Rúben Dias and Pepe were already in position, so this did not count as a strict one-on-one breakaway.

"No chance now..."

"Wu Lei's speed could actually be a bit faster."

"Yes."

"Eh, he's passing back!"

Pretending to continue moving into the penalty area, Wu Lei instead seized the opportunity to play a cut-back pass.

The one receiving the ball was Zhang Zhang Yuning.

"Go up and press!"

Pepe was already charging up!

Zhang Zhang Yuning was somewhat nervous, but fortunately, he heard Tang Ye's voice calling from behind.

Pass back!

Seeing Zhang Zhang Yuning make the pass, Pepe immediately shifted his target and charged toward Tang Ye.

Tang Ye and Pepe ran toward each other, but Tang Ye was in the better position.

!

"Here!"

Wang Wang Shenchao, having sprinted 80 meters, was already ready at the left baseline; that was an excellent position to receive a pass!