Chapter 172: Mission failed!

The football left the top of his foot, which was hanging high in midair.

With an unbelievable diagonal spin.

Lightly leapt toward Real Madrid's goal!

Navas instinctively made a save.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

This unconventional shooting method is the crystallization of consciousness, inspiration, imagination, and flexibility!

4:2!!!

The instant the ball lifted the net.

The entire Bernabeu seemed to have undergone an earthquake.

All camera feeds shook wildly to the sound of a collapsing mountain and tsunami.

"Wow!"

"Magnificent!"

"Bicycle kick!"

"Moving to the core!"

"Perfect hang time, flawless body turn, a shooting angle that makes one slap the table and exclaim!"

"Brace!"

Li Kang, with two goals that stunned the crowd, defended Laiyin's honor and the name of genius!

Perhaps tonight is destined to be unable to reverse the tide! But he kicked out his own worth! Two priceless goals!

The live stream.

The big screen replayed the entire goal.

Unthinkable height.

Astounding hang time.

Unreasonable flexibility.

The continuous motion of an aerial turn and bicycle kick goal was completed in one fluid motion.

It made many viewers' hair stand on end.

-【World-famous painting.】

-【Li Mingdeng's bicycle kick... like aged fine wine, leaving endless aftertaste.】

-【Am I watching an animated cartoon?】

-【After the Bernabeu match, how much will Li Mingdeng's value increase?】

-【The rhythm and possession have been disrupted, yet he still scored? Tough luck!】

-【Chelsea hardly has any hope of qualifying for next season's Champions League; little Li, join my factory next season, no explanations needed—we can pull off tic-tac against any powerhouse! Champions League victory is certain, unlike the pharma factory getting rushed by the opponent... can't even hold onto the ball.】

-【Manchester City's Champions League qualification for next season is also a bit uncertain; they have many injuries this season.】

The chill faded, all things revived, vitality flourishing.

Bernabeu's floodlights attracted tens of thousands of flying insects within a ten-li radius.

The southern end of the five-star stadium, due to insufficient long-term sunlight on the grass, is also a favorite spot for insects.

Li Kang lay on his back on the grass.

A colorful silver moth landed on the tip of his nose.

The director immediately switched to a close-up shot.

"This scene is too moving!"

"Butterflies cannot fly across the vast sea!"

"It must be God's messenger..."

Li Kang swept the moth away with one hand, darted into the net, and picked up the ball.

He needs to seize the time.

Who has the mood to feel sentimental about insects?

Smack!

Navas clapped his big hands together, smacking five or six flying insects dead.

He feels bitter inside.

This season, the Costa Rican goalkeeper broke Van der Sar's Champions League record of 658 minutes without conceding a goal.

Ironically, today he twice became the backdrop for iconic moments.

Damn it.

Post-match media will surely write like this:

Leverkusen lost, but Li Kang didn't lose.

Real Madrid won, but Navas didn't win.

In the distance.

Yin Si Ke scratched his not-quite-clean leg hair.

In his fervent gaze, undisguised admiration.

His childhood dream was to join Barcelona...

This year he must seize the opportunity and strive to make the European Cup squad.

As long as he teammates with Li Dang, he will surely have the chance, like his predecessors, to sweep all national cup honors!

At the edge of the field.

Tuopu Laotou and Dino applauded loudly.

"Boss, our next adjustment is..."

"Tonight is Li's solo performance."

The other side.

Zidane rubbed his bald head, his expression slightly dazed.

He almost couldn't help but cheer for Li Kang.

After calming down, he walked to the sidelines and made a gesture of pressing down with both palms to the players.

Slow the tempo, control the field!

That kid is too terrifying.

We can't let him score a third away goal.

The game restarted from the center circle.

Benzema kicked off and passed to Kroos.

Marcelo and Carvajal advanced again from both flanks.

These two fullbacks can completely be used as wingbacks or wingers.

Their footwork, ball sense, and awareness are too strong.

Thus giving Real Madrid's midfield unparalleled control.

The ball zipped quickly between the white jerseys.

Leverkusen's forward press had no effect, forcing their formation to gradually retreat.

"The times have changed."

"Enrique's Barca plays counter-attack."

"Zidane's Real Madrid plays possession."

"We still have to tailor the solution."

"Modric, Kroos, and Yin Si Ke can execute Zidane's tactical thinking very well."

"Nonstop running, nonstop passing, with everyone's positions constantly crossing, enjoying seamless flow."

"Leverkusen will have to follow suit defensively, and gaps in their defense will gradually appear!"

Bernabeu, the team anthem rang loud.

Real Madrid displayed ultimate field control.

Leverkusen's back line was repeatedly pierced by Kroos's ground through balls and long aerial passes, leaving them unable to resist.

But the most terrifying is still Cristiano Ronaldo.

This guy, although not that peak super golden-edged Ronaldo.

But his off-the-ball movement and insertion awareness are too monstrous.

When he goes crazy, his shooting range covers anywhere within 35 meters of the goal.

Thereafter, the match tempo was completely under Real Madrid's control, and Leverkusen had no chance to fight back.

Li Kang went nowhere, the shadow in his mind spreading to the extreme... the strongest strength was specially saved for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Why wasn't it used earlier to limit Modric and Bale's goals?

Because it couldn't be done.

Time passed second by second.

Leverkusen's defenders expended enormous stamina, and the interception moves of players like Jonathan Tah began to deform.

Tuopu Laotou's hands in his pockets were sweating cold.

Dino would occasionally sip a bottle of mineral water.

If we lose the ball again, the second leg will be a dead end with no hope.

The away fans were worried.

The home fans reveled unrestrainedly.

From the situation on the pitch: Real Madrid could at any moment break through Leverkusen's goal again.

Gradually... the number 10 figure reappeared in people's sight.

Li Kang!

He always manages to get in front of Cristiano Ronaldo and disrupt the ball!

He simply brought individual defensive art to the utmost extreme!

Robust physique.

Amazing explosive power.

Broad vision.

Terrifying trajectory anticipation.

Just like Nesta's fierce interception.

It also caused Marcelo and Benzema, who were coming to support the pass, to inadvertently get hit by a few sliding tackles.

Kroos was greatly troubled.

This pass just can't be fed.

Cristiano Ronaldo was annoyed, having no way to deal with Li Kang, wishing he could turn back time to before 2014, returning to his peak...

Back then, he only needed a quick change of direction... to easily shake off the genius from Bei lai yin.

"Another solo performance by Li Kang!"

"Individual defense is very limited, after all he's just one person, and his teammates' stamina can no longer keep up with coordinated defense."

If Bale hadn't been taken off, Lewokusen would probably have been shot to pieces!

Real Madrid's fifth goal shouldn't be far off.

The dangers created were repeatedly defused.

Kroos and Modrić had to shift the weight of attacking resources.

Zidane from time to time rubbed his bald head, brows furrowed, couldn't help wondering: 'Li Kang's terrifying pressing, how long can it last... won't he get tired?'

He excitedly made a gesture, signaling the players to focus their attention on Yin Si Ke.

Yes.

That was the man Real Madrid's head coach admired most before meeting Li Kang.

Thanks entirely to Yin Si Ke, Lewokusen's goal was not breached again.

This kid hogs the ball, and for now he's not yet compatible enough with Modrić and Kroos.

Moreover, he's very sticky with the ball, simply unwilling to pass.

Essentially, he is the most dazzling dribbler in this match.

But it happened to play right into the hands of Van Dijk and Lai Nuo.

One blocked the near post, the other blocked the far post.

Yin Si Ke would then naively push a shot down the middle.

His shooting technique is occasionally superb.

Fortunately, Lai Nuo, without interference from teammates, played exceptionally well.

Zidane from time to time clapped and cheered.

He certainly won't admit to the mistake of taking Bale off.

In front of the TV, Vicente del Bosque fumed, his beard trembling: 'Good heavens, if Morata and Yin Si Ke were on the field together, what wonderful chemical reaction would that produce!'

Finally.

Beep! Beep-beep~

The head referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the match!

Real Madrid 4:2 Lewokusen!

"Congratulations, Real Madrid! They gained a two-goal lead in the first leg of the Champions League semi‑final!"

"Lewokusen cannot withdraw intact from the Bernabeu!"

"But could those two away goals be the hidden factor for advancing to the final...?"

At the Bernabeu, a multitude of emotions intertwined.

Lewokusen fans remained silent.

Real Madrid fans chanted slogans.

"Go Madrid!!!"

Kroos was preparing to catch up with Lewokusen's staff and team doctor, who had once given him familial warmth.

Unfortunately, a glance at the opposing bench showed only unfamiliar faces...

Cristiano Ronaldo really wanted to give Li Kang a thumbs‑up beside him, but he held back.

Besides Atlético Madrid's Godín, few players can keep up with his runs—not just speed and stamina, but more so his tendency and off‑the‑ball awareness.

His expression was icy, and he forcibly turned his head away.

Yet inside he was anticipating something.

If this kid wanted to swap jerseys with me, it wouldn't be out of the question...

Suddenly.

He furrowed his brow.

He noticed Modrić walking over.

No!

When did this guy Yin Si Ke come running over?

"Li! You played really well!"

Moments later.

Li Kang and his teammates together thanked the Lewokusen fans who had traveled with the team.

He could feel his teammates' inner anguish and struggle, as well as the fans' despondency and despair.

His journey at Bei lai yin would also soon come to an end.

On the other side.

Real Madrid's stars walked off the pitch.

Yin Si Ke tightly gripped a Lewokusen jersey and whispered proudly: "Do you know? This is the last Champions League away jersey Li Kang wore during his time at Bei lai yin, and it's still red! Only one exists! It's out of print!"

"Carvajal chuckled: "I've pre‑ordered his home Champions League jersey.""

Cristiano Ronaldo's face was grim, and he involuntarily quickened his pace.

"Bale rose from the bench, grabbed Marcelo, pointed to his chest, and said: "I feel like I've lost something.""

Post‑match press conference.

As the victor, Zidane became the focus of all media present.

Real Madrid's head coach unknowingly steered the topic to Li Kang and couldn't stop.

"Li is the soul of a team; it's a pity that, limited by the squad's overall quality, we cannot fully appreciate his dissection of the situation and formation."

"He has a big heart; I saw no negative energy in his gaze, no discouragement, no complaint... even when three goals behind, he was the only Lewokusen player on the pitch who hadn't given up the match."

"The more difficult it is, the more it ignites the fighting spirit!"

"His personality is very much like mine, a silent leader!"

The venue instantly erupted with thunderous applause, which continued unabated.

Tuopu Laotou and Dino exchanged glances: falling behind like this... Is it difficult for Li Lai?

When the reporter from Marca threw out the question.

Lewokusen's head coach fell silent for a moment, then said:

"We still have a chance to reach the final..."

"Bei lai yin awaits Real Madrid's expedition."

That night.

News about this Champions League semi-final topped the home pages of major sports platforms.

"Real Madrid 4:2 Lewokusen, grasping the initiative to advance."

"True or False Great Sage? Bernabeu stages a cloud‑soaring feat!"

"An epic bicycle kick, is a young footballer possessed?"

"With a steadfast gaze, Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 16th Champions League goal of the season!"

"A soul‑striking outside‑foot shot, Modrić's unstoppable long‑range strike!"

"Zidane was stunned, an 18‑year‑old boy actually at the Bernabeu..."

Comment counts, likes, and shares surged.

-【Li Mingdeng's curse is broken! He finally lost a match.】

-【Isn't losing a match normal? Football is a team sport; even Messi at Barcelona has been routed by some team, right?】

-【Lewokusen returns home for the second leg; do they still have a chance to advance?】

-【According to the away‑goals advantage rule, they must beat Real Madrid 2‑0 or 3‑1; go check the odds—you could take a punt.】

-【Don't even think about it—tonight it's all up to Li Mingdeng forcing his survival.】

The hotel where Lewokusen is staying is very close to the Bernabeu stadium.

They lost so badly.

Son Heung‑min, Kramer and the others didn't even dare to think about going out to experience the local culture.

The plan was to quietly hole up in the room and play games.

When Dino handed out the room cards, he loudly encouraged the players:

"Cheer up, don't let the Spaniards see us as a joke!"

"We haven't been sentenced to death!"

"Bei lai yin, there's still a last hope!"

He raised his fist high.

In the crowd he saw only two responding fists.

Havertz and Li Kang...

The other teammates looked listless.

After finding the room,

Li Kang quickly opened the system panel.

【Ding, mission failed: Bernabeu Miracle!】

【Mission feedback: I knew you couldn't create a miracle with these teammates... but your performance was astonishing!】

【Mission being corrected...】

【Mission reward being corrected...】

【Individual performance rating: SSS!】

【Congratulations on obtaining: Real Madrid Legend·Mysterious Treasure Box!】

Failed but still got a reward?

Li Kang didn't really mind the disappearance of the Pele module.

Perhaps if they win the second leg, there could be a better module reward of the same tier.

An ancient treasure box wreathed in black smoke hovered in mid‑air.

He quickly glanced at the prize pool.

【Bernabeu "Imperial Founder" module!】

【Di Stefano "Golden Arrowhead" module!】

【Puskas "Major" module!】

【Yerro "All‑rounder" module!】

【....】

A dazzling array of star‑player modules.

Just from the names you can tell they're extremely practical.

As expected, a treasure box from a historic powerhouse is all good stuff.

【Mysterious Treasure Box opening...】

【Congratulations on obtaining: Figo "Deceptive" module!】

【Some things happen either zero times or countless times!】

The Mysterious Treasure Box belched out rolling black smoke.

Li Kang felt a faint tingling at the base of his skull, and countless fragmented memories surfaced.