Chapter 185: Summer in France

Madrid, Las Rosas Training Base.

"Fabregas, that poor bastard, injured his thigh biceps femoris, he can't come with us to France!"

"Fortunately, Cazorla is recovering well, he'll come over to report tomorrow!"

"De Gea? That guy's fine, just caught up in a **scandal, he and his agent went back to London for a press conference!"

Miniano was chatting with two team doctors on the sidelines, communicating the team's injury situation.

The sun was setting.

The heat had not yet completely subsided.

Bosque wore a red T-shirt, his belly protruding, smiling happily as he watched the training field.

The Spanish stars were divided into two teams, conducting a scrimmage.

Team A's "Li Bai Bu" trio was crushed again.

Morata was wildly spitting out biscuits on one hand.

The defensive line problem, with Barcelona as the core, was also very serious.

Team B's iron triangle of David Silva, Koke, and Saul, with tactics simple and efficient, quick long passes bypassing the central barrier, Diego Costa receiving the ball and then exploiting the gap between Pique and Alba to attack, repeatedly succeeding.

"Don't keep back-heeling, you're falling behind!"

"Good heavens, Pique, why are you zoning out again!"

Bosque quickly furrowed his brow, angry enough to make his little moustache tremble.

His insistence on blending Li Kang, Yinniesita, and Busquests together is simple: cup battles are about stamina consumption.

Peak bullfighters kick anyone to a 1:0 or 2:0 score!

La Masia's possession system naturally fits a congested schedule.

Unfortunately.

This national team, the Barcelona contingent has exposed serious problems:

One. Alba's height is too short, Simeone taught the world how to exploit him to beat him.

Two. Can't find a third center-back with better footwork than Pique, but this guy keeps zoning out.

Three. Yinniesita suffers from persistent injuries, unable to maintain normal form for long.

And four, five, six, seven, eight...

No.

Can't let Li return to the Lewokusen era style of "working oneself to death without reward."

Bosque picked up pen and paper, began solving the weaknesses exposed in the lineup.

Although the Spanish national team has no Messi.

But midfield talent reserves are sufficient, simple combinations can cover the problems.

Moments later.

The training match ended.

Morata handed Li Kang a dry towel: "Li, aren't your family and friends coming to watch the match?"

Li Kang shook his head, then nodded again.

Sofia, his foster mother, couldn't leave, unwilling to part with the La Masia youth trainees.

On the other hand, Wo Le Er, Tuopu Laotou, Dino, and Teacher Belenta, etc., were quite idle, would come to the scene to cheer him on.

Hmm.

Others are wife squads.

He is a grandfather squad.

Diego Costa had a stern face, speaking solemnly: "Li, you should make more friends with the opposite sex, *The Sun* says you like men."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Players like Li Kang and Morata who don't engage in "early romance" are extremely rare.

However, for this European Cup, Bosque does not allow wife squads near the base.

History has given the answer: any coach who claims "sexual activity benefits match condition" will meet Waterloo in France.

In the summer of 2016, media focus was not limited to the European Cup, but also the "Centennial Copa America."

Held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the South American Football Confederation and the Copa America, it is a major tournament.

This era's "Copa America" is not a "weekly cup."

Match quality and squad value are very high.

Gathered Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Aguero, Higuain, Di Maria, Mascherano, and a host of other South American superstars.

Argentina's national team forward line, even if placed in the World Cup, would be top-tier.

But their weak midfield and defense prevent them from dominating in South America; contemporaneous Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, and other strong teams have more balanced squads.

Buenos Aires, Eseza Training Base.

The Argentine national team is conducting a scrimmage.

Messi is desperately feeding biscuits.

Higuain is wildly spitting out biscuits.

Former Barcelona coach Martino painfully covered his face.

"We clearly have the world's best forward line, why can't we win the championship?"

"Gonzalo, you damn Serie A top scorer!"

"Messi, return to the forward position!"

Moments later.

Martino was confused.

Messi was confused.

He dropped back to midfield to organize and link up, but the forward line couldn't score.

He returned to his most familiar forward position, but midfield couldn't deliver the ammunition.

Even the king of football's style couldn't move things along.

The 2007 Copa América final ended in disappointment.

The 2010 World Cup loss to the German team...

The 2011 Copa América ended in the round of sixteen.

The 2014 World Cup final ended in defeat.

The 2015 Copa América final lost on penalties.

Messi's professional career looks glorious, but unfortunately, every time in major national team tournaments, he experiences the hellish difficulty of chaotic demons dancing.

Yes, luck also plays a big factor, and the goalposts and crossbar are his eternal enemies in national team matches.

How many more years must he wait to win major honors at the national team level?

This year's Centennial Copa América is the best opportunity to break the curse!

Portuguese national team training base.

Head coach Santos wore a bitter smile.

He watched C罗, who was overstepping his bounds to direct the team's tactical training, with mixed emotions.

C罗's individual ability is beyond doubt, and the Portuguese team as a whole will revolve around him as the core in attack.

But directing the team and the coaching staff's thinking are going in opposite directions.

Put nicely: leadership quality.

Put bluntly:...

Santos always explains cheerfully in front of the media: "Command? This is C罗's privilege!"

Actually, deep down, he has a thorn in his heart.

No matter which head coach, they don't want to be, under global camera lights, having their in-game command authority seized by a player who "cannot play."

C罗 himself certainly has no ill intent, nor any idea of "usurping authority through interference."

He believes his relationship with national team teammates and coaching staff is very harmonious.

He cares about honor.

He wants to win!

This European Cup is the best opportunity!

After the training session ended.

C罗 called Edel to one side.

"Don't always shoot for the far corner! Pay attention to observing the opposing defenders and goalkeeper's positioning... You're too fond of using your instep, you need to practice more with your foot arch... Look at me!"

Edel was a bit dazed, he's just an unknown substitute.

Unless the main players are injured, otherwise he has no chance to play.

As a forward, he hasn't even scored ten goals in a year at his club, compared to other Portuguese stars, he's just an insignificant little brother.

Feeling C罗's firm gaze.

Edel was deeply moved: if he gets to play in the European Cup, he will definitely perform well!

June 8, western France.

Li Kang and his national teammates arrived at La Rochelle Airport, their base is on Ré Island, a quiet seaside town.

The Spanish fans present to greet the team numbered only a few dozen, because this place is too remote.

Morata still wanted to take a photo with them.

Soon, French security personnel with live ammunition stepped forward to stop them.

There was no way around it.

To prevent terrorist attacks, the security work for this European Cup is extremely strict.

The national team bus waited for a long time.

The vehicle bore the slogan of this European Cup's Bullfighter Legion: Unapasion, somoslaRoja.

Flashbulbs flickered wildly.

Media reporters stood outside the police line, shouting questions wildly, but received no response.

Bosque strictly forbade players from accepting any interviews during the European Cup, and their social media accounts were also banned.

If Spain fails to achieve good results in this European Cup, who knows how many years it will take to climb back up.

June 11.

The frantic sea wind blew the windows to bang loudly.

Li Kang and his teammates sat around in front of the TV, watching the opening ceremony of the 2016 European Cup.

France vs Romania!

The camera quickly swept over the nine host cities of this European Cup, finally settling on the Saint-Denis French Stadium.

The pitch was decorated like a manor from a fairy tale.

Accompanied by cheerful music.

Actors in various costumes kept spinning.

Absurd figures from different historical periods.

Cultural symbols from different historical periods.

They formed a giant "merry-go-round" that slowly rotated with the beat.

Two minutes later.

The background music switched to the classic "Kang Kang Dance."

Flower-branch-swaying, variously-complexioned girls rushed onto the green field, dancing gracefully.

Tens of thousands of spectators in the venue couldn't help but beat along.

A country hosting a major sporting event is not only able to increase economic benefits, but more importantly to display its cultural symbols to the world.

CTV5 live broadcast room.

The number of viewers continued to surge.

What is the concept of the European Cup?

Ordinary people who usually don't pay attention to the five major leagues and the Champions League will also join in the fun.

If a player can perform outstandingly in such a major event, their market value and commercial value will definitely surge.

For example, Balotelli in 2012.

Host Liu Jiayuan was vividly introducing French culture.

The audience didn't care about these.

-【This is very round, add a chicken leg for the director!】

-【I'm optimistic about the French team winning the championship, their paper lineup is strong, and it's also a home game.】

-【In terms of paper strength, who can surpass the European Red Devils-Belgium!】

-【Isn't the German team the top favorite? They were the previous World Cup champions!】

-【Italy will definitely experience a revival!】

-【It's tough! Pirlo left, Verratti and Marchisio are seriously injured and didn't make the big list, Balotelli is finished, besides Buffon and the Xuanming Two Elders, I can't name any other players.】

-【During every crucial match, people always generate four major illusions: England is strong, Italy is weak, Argentina can win the championship, the national team can qualify!】

Diego Costa sang along with the TV to the French classic "La Vie en Rose."

Li Kang had an extra document in his hand.

He only started paying attention to the specific group list today.

This edition of the European Cup expanded again, and the list added many new teams.

Group A: France, Switzerland, Romania, Albania;

Group B: England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales;

Group C: Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Northern Ireland;

Group D: Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic, Turkey;

Group E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Ireland;

Group F: Portugal, Austria, Hungary, Iceland.

The system prompt tone sounded softly.

【Ding! National team main quest triggered: Conquer Europa!】

【Quest Introduction: It's so simple, you're surrounded by a group of the world's top midfield magicians, you will be crowned king! Right, how could you possibly experience nightmare difficulty's death half? Your luck won't be that bad!】

【Quest Reward:???】

Li Kang's expression remained calm.

Nightmare difficulty's death half?

It should mean that I will become the nightmare of my opponents.

The TV suddenly burst out with a wave of cheers.

The European Cup opening match officially kicked off.

The teammates were listless.

Cazorla and Yinniesita were discussing the opponent's characteristics.

Minayano quickly whispered to interrupt: "Relax well, prepare for the first group match, leave the tactical work to the coaching staff!"

The following days were peaceful and monotonous.

In the training match, Bosque kept rotating Li Kang's midfield partner, while Minayano took notes on the side.

The time left for the coaching staff was already short.

There are many factions within the Spanish national team.

The root of the conflict is not ethnic grudges, but rather the divergence in midfield ball possession rhythm.

There are many paths to the goal, but a group of academic elites each insist on their own ideas.

Busquets and Yinniesita are one faction.

David Silva and Cazorla are one faction.

Saul and Koke, the new generation players, are another faction.

But this time there was no repetition of the Confederations Cup quarrel.

Because Spain now has a perfect midfield new core that accommodates all ideas.

Due to the closed training.

Li Kang has never opened his phone.

Nor has he paid attention to other groups' matches.

Just when having breakfast, he saw a very interesting news in the newspaper:

In the England vs Russia match, fans from both sides started fighting.

Groups of English hooligans were chased and beaten by five Russian hulks...

June 13.

Toulouse Stadium.

A sea of people, every seat filled.

The stands, holding over forty thousand spectators, were divided into two colors.

Different languages from two nations converged on French soil.

Spain welcomed its first group stage match.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"

"Welcome to the first match of Group D at the 2016 France European Championship!"

"Spain versus Croatia!"

"A star-studded showdown!"

"We can see many familiar names in both starting lineups!"

"A dialogue between the twilight dynasty and the golden generation!"

"I am the commentator for this match: Duan Xuan!"

"I am He Wei!"

Player tunnel.

Players from both sides greeted each other enthusiastically.

The camera swept across each person's face.

Even casual viewers could vaguely recognize several stars from Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus.

When Modrić learned Li Kang was not in Spain's starting lineup.

He felt a hint of regret.

The Croatian midfielder believed: only meeting in national team matches was the fairest stage for his dialogue with Li Kang.

"Now let's introduce the starting lineups for both sides!"

"Spain's formation is 4-2-3-1!"

"Goalkeeper: De Gea!"

"Defenders: Alba, Piqué, Ramos, Carvajal!"

"Double pivot: Saúl, Busquets!"

"Attacking midfielders: David Silva, Koke, Cazorla!"

"Forward: Morata!"

-【What the hell, they didn't even call out the left and right fullbacks—Alba on the left and Carvajal on the right are two attacking and defensive concepts, the commentary quality is truly low.】

-【This is to accommodate the broad audience's feelings; national team match commentary should focus on being easy to understand.】

-【I haven't watched football in years, most of the Spain squad are unfamiliar faces! Where's Casillas? Alonso? Xavi? Torres? Why is Xiao Bai also pressed to the bench?】

-【A midfield jumble of Atlético, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Arsenal! Is Bosque no longer playing that Barcelona 'tiki-taka' tactic?】

-【Spain abandoned Barcelona's help, defeat is certain!】

-【This lineup doesn't need Xiao Li Zi, it's absolutely enough to crush Croatia!】

"Croatia also deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: Subašić!"

"Defenders: Srna, Ćorluka, Jedvaj, Corluka."

"Double pivot: Modrić, Badelj!"

"Attacking midfielders: Brozović, Rakitić, Perišić!"

"Forward: Mandžukić!"

-【Two Super Hexagon Warriors from Real Madrid and Barcelona, Inter Milan's two wings, Juventus' top striker, Fiorentina's defensive core... truly the golden generation!】

-【This lineup won't blow up Spain? Give me a beating, Piqué!】

-【Wasn't it said before the match that Modrić couldn't play due to injury? Turns out it was a smoke screen!】

Accompanied by the referee's whistle.

The match officially began!

Croatia possession.

Mandžukić kicked off and passed back to Rakitić.

Rakitić touched the ball once, diagonally passing toward Brozović's direction.

Perišić cut inside to the central zone.

The entire Croatian formation resembled a bayonet, fiercely stabbing into Spain's half.

Sideline.

Bosque sat slumped on the bench, half-asleep.

Miñano anxiously paced back and forth.

Yinniesita frowned tightly, whispering: "The situation isn't looking good; Croatia's coordination is far better than ours! Modrić and Rakitić's control is too strong."

Li Kang nodded.

The other side.

Croatia's head coach-Čačić, hands in his pockets, confident and composed.

When Spain could no longer play tiki-taka, they were merely an exhausted bull.

Match time passed minute by minute.

Modrić controlled the match.

Rakitic's back-and-forth lateral movement orchestrated one threatening attack after another.

The Spanish fans gradually fell silent.

The Croatian fans cheered unrestrainedly.

The Matador Army still has the old problem from 2014, unable to establish a true midfield core...

"Croatia's style of play is too fluid!"

"Wow! Imaginative through passes!"

"From the look of the game, the Croatia wearing checkered jerseys plays even more like Spain!"

"The scales of victory will tilt toward the pleasing-to-the-eye team!"

"Great opportunity! Perišić's long-range shot!"

"Huh? De Gea's divine save!"

"Quick throw-in! Give it to the recovering Cazorla!"

"Backfield long pass launches the attack!"

"Morata!"

"How is this Spain so much like England?"

Duan Xuan was somewhat at a loss for words.

On the screen.

The football resembled fireworks, tearing through the night sky of the Toulouse Stadium!

Cazorla's master-level long pass!

Near the center circle.

Morata's judgment of the landing point was extremely accurate.

He got ahead of Šrna.

He headed the ball backward for a layoff!

Immediately, he continued to sprint forward!

"Beautiful! The timing of this header layoff was too perfect!"

"Coke!"

Coke controlled the ball with his chest.

His body leaned back!

His right foot's instep pushed forward fiercely!

Thud!

The football resembled a sharp blade.

Skimming the turf, it pierced through Croatia's high defensive line!

"No offside!"

"The football rolled once again to Morata's feet!"

"This counterattack style! Too simple and direct!"

"We seem to be watching an Atlético Madrid match!"

"Jol Luka can't catch up!"

"No offside!"

"One-on-one!"

Morata's speed was extremely fast, easily shaking off the double-team of Jol Luka and Jedvaj Yin!

The football happened to roll to his feet.

No need to slow down and adjust.

His ball control technique is top-notch!

Upon touching the ball, he immediately followed up with a powerful dribble!

Accelerated again!

The Spanish fans cheered and leapt with joy!

The Croatian fans erupted in waves of boos!

Subašić charged out of the penalty area, spreading his arms wide, striving to expand his blocking area!

Thud!

Morata pushed with his instep!

The football slid past the Croatian goalkeeper's crotch and steadily rolled into the net!

1:0!!!

"Beautiful!"

"Too simple!"

"Just 15 minutes into the kickoff, Morata broke the deadlock on the field!"

"Unbelievable, the side that scored first is Spain!"

"Croatia had the advantage but failed to score!"

Morata rushed to the corner flag area, confidently throwing punches.

Subašić raised his hand to apologize to his teammates.

On the sideline.

Yinniesita was dumbfounded.

He was still pondering in his mind how to break through Croatia's high-pressure attack, when a teammate's counterattack just punched through the opposite side?

Li Kang and Diego Costa couldn't help but applaud.

Bosque nodded in satisfaction.

Miniano jumped up excitedly.

On the other side.

Vratich exploded in rage.

He couldn't help but roar angrily at his teammates on the field.

"Don't fucking waste long-range shooting opportunities! Cherish ball possession!"

"Pass the ball to Modric!"

The center circle restarted.

Croatia continued their fierce attack.

The ball advanced into the thirty-meter zone.

Modric's position moved slightly forward.

The checkered army seemed to have changed into a different team.

The spacing between all players began to stretch, wildly penetrating Spain's defensive line.

The speed of ball passing kept increasing!

"So gorgeous!"

"Perfect coordination at its peak!"

"In the grand environment of utilitarian football, Croatia didn't stick to defensive counterattacks, but like a lotus in the mud, their beautiful style broke the lifeless European football scene!"

"Rakitic and Modric, the brains and metronomes from Barcelona and Real Madrid, the lost gems of Yugoslav football, together they played a splendid movement!"

Actually, it's not that splendid.

Mainly because these two are both all-around players.

The type with no obvious weaknesses.

Excellent vision and awareness.

Not afraid of pressing.

Stable ball distribution.

Accurate passing.

Strong sense of timing.

Too many advantages to list.

This group of Spanish midfield magicians with severe subject bias, for a moment, struggled to cope.

28th minute of the match.

Perisic flicked past Alba on the left flank.

Then he swept the ball back to the top of the large penalty arc.

Rakitic let go at the front point!

Making the eager De Gea a bit caught off guard!

"Oh no! This ball is meant for Modric!"

"He's going to shoot!"

Modric shook off Saul!

He lifted his right foot!

At the moment the outside of his foot touched the ball, it made a explosive sound!

In the air above the Spanish penalty area, a beautiful arc like a rainbow was traced.

De Gea reacted very quickly.

In the blink of an eye, his judgment of the shot direction was extremely accurate!

He leapt!

Unfortunately!

His pink gloves were just a little short of touching the ball.

When the Spanish net was lifted!

Croatian fans erupted in a roar like mountains collapsing and seas surging!

"Outside of the foot!"

"Divine outside-of-the-foot!"

"The ball went straight into the dead corner! De Gea did his best!"

"Modric's outside-of-the-foot long-range shot helped Croatia equalize the score!"

On the sideline.

Bosque frowned, struggling to stand up.

"Our defensive line has no problem."

"It's the midfielders who entered a misunderstanding... they shouldn't be restricting Modric."

"Li, do you understand?"

"Not bad, the key to breaking through is cutting off his connection with Rakitic! Go warm up quickly!"

Yinniesita and Diego Costa looked bewildered: Little Li Zi didn't say anything! Old man, what are you muttering about?

On the other side.

Query: He punched the air heavily.

"Exactly! That's how you kick it!"

"Pass the damn ball to Modrić!"

Croatian players gathered in the corner flag area, tightly embracing.

They believed they could surely win the group stage's first victory.

Suddenly.

Rakitić's smile on his face disappeared.

He saw a figure walking out from the Spanish bench.

Spain's number 6!

He couldn't help but recall the night at Camp Nou...

The match continued.

Under Modrić's organization and connection.

Croatia pressed Spain tightly into the penalty area, launching a wave-like siege!

The feeling for the audience was: the checkered army could overturn the score at any moment.

Match time flowed by second by second.

Piqué was somewhat distracted.

Spain's defensive line began to waver.

"If Fabregas were on the field, the situation might be different!"

"Saúl is still too young, easily lost in Croatia's short and long penetrations."

"Spain needs to think of a solution now!"

"Oh! Mandžukić's shot was too casual!"

"During the dead ball phase, we saw Spain make their first substitution adjustment!"

"The substitute coming on next is, 18-year-old youngster Li Kang!"

"He is making his debut in official national team matches!"

"Perhaps many viewers are not yet familiar with him; this youngster is the European assist king from the Bundesliga powerhouse—Lewokusen!"

"Busquets is substituted off, this is a positional substitution!"

When Spain's number 6 jersey appeared outside the center circle line.

The entire Toulouse stadium seemed to tremble slightly.

Cameras at all positions shook violently.

Tens of thousands of Spanish fans hysterically shouted the words on the back of the jersey.

"Lee!!!"

"Lee!!!"

"Lee!!!"

Live stream room.

Danmu went crazy and filled the screen!

-【Damn, Li Mingdeng is on the field.】

-【Bosque is still playing it safe, didn't wait until behind to put little Li on!】

-【Who is Li Mingdeng? Why is he wearing Harvey's number?】

-【Super core! A midfield core that can boost Spain's overall strength!】

-【Don't talk nonsense, Li Kang was completely dominated by Modrić in the Champions League! Can't even touch the ball, putting him on is useless!】

-【You're the one talking nonsense, what kind of teammates are these national team players? Can the weaklings from Lewokusen compare? Just wait, Croatia is going to get blown up!】

Bosque grabbed the youngster's shoulder, firing off rapid-fire instructions.

Li Kang's gaze fixed on the green field, continuously nodding.

Busquets quickly ran to the sideline, the two bumped fists and embraced.

"Li, your shoelaces aren't tied!"

"Slow down, kiss the turf first..."

Li Kang sprinted onto the field like a wisp of smoke, quickly gesturing to his teammates.

Bosque was still muttering behind him.

He still hoped his disciple's European Cup debut would be more impressive...

In the distance.

Query: He frowned.

His heart kept self-soothing.

It's fine.

It's fine.

Li Kang's substitution will have about the same effect as Saúl's.

During the Champions League semifinals, he couldn't keep up with Modrić's timeline...

De Gea kicked off the goal kick.

Directly to Li Kang!

The latter lifted his left foot, lightly trapping the ball.

Perišić and Mandžukić frenziedly pressed forward to challenge.

"Hurry up and pass the ball!"

"Nice!"

Li Kang kicked the ball back with his left foot.

Turn!

He easily leapt over the double-team of the two.

Brozović also rushed forward at this time.

The football had already left Li Kang's right foot, rolling onto the line of Alba's forward run.

The Croatian right winger failed to brake, slamming hard into Spain's number 6.

Thud!

Brozović only felt he had collided with a wild beast!

Dizzy and disoriented, he staggered and fell to the ground.

He shook his head.

Only then did he see that Li Kang had already walked away.

Yes.

That kid used "walking"!

Rakitić is very smart.

He didn't even think of engaging Li Kang in a physical battle!

Instead, he coordinated with Badeli, moving in to double-team Alba!

"Excellent!"

"Alba intercepted the Croatian defensive midfielder's pass!"

"Advanced past the midfield line!"

"Horizontal pass to the center!"

"Find Li Kang!"

Li Kang again trapped the ball, not kicking it out with one touch.

In God's perspective.

Modrić's timing for the tackle was perfect, as if he had anticipated Alba's passing tendency.

The other Croatian players, under his command and coordination, also cut off Li Kang's passing lanes.

Memory seemed to return to the night of elimination in the Champions League.

At that time, the midfield ceremony stifled all of Li Kang's ideas.

Bosque's expression was solemn.

Yinniesita anxiously scratched his slightly bald head.

David Silva frantically dropped back, preparing to receive.

At this moment, possession cannot be lost.

If lost.

It would be like Leverkusen playing against Real Madrid.

The distance between Spain's number 6 and Croatia's number 10 kept closing.

Time seemed to slow down countless times.

The one-on-one duel between the two midfield cores.

The outcome of this duel would determine control of the central zone in this match.

Modrić's tackle timing was extremely precise.

His control of the timeline seemed to want to press the Spanish youngster hard to the ground!

Li Kang's expression was very calm.

In his vision, a bald phantom appeared vaguely.

While dribbling forward.

He lightly tapped the ball with his left foot.

The football slid to the left.

The red jersey fluttered in the wind.

Turn!

Modrić stepped into empty space with one foot, his expression astonished.

The pupil of Spain's number 6.

Had already completed a graceful, imaginative right-foot pull-back move.

Extremely elegant!

Golden strands of hair and black tips tangled in the wind.

When the ceremonial midfielder came to his senses.

He had already been left far behind by Li Kang!

"Marseille turn!"

"Since Zidane, no such perfect Marseille turn has appeared on French soil!"

"Too gorgeous!"

"Flowing like clouds and water!"

"Antelope hanging its horns!"

"Treading Snow Without a Trace!"

"In this one-on-one duel, Li Kang defeated Modric!"

"The clash of two genius midfielders!"

"Elegant!"

Toulouse Stadium, thunderous applause!

Bosque opened his mouth in astonishment.

Yinniesita excitedly punched Diego Costa.

Qatichi stared blankly, the mineral water in his hand falling to the ground without him noticing.

The match did not pause.

Li Kang dribbled forward into the forty-meter zone.

He gently pushed with the instep of his foot.

The football instantly cut through Croatia's half!

It rolled steadily to the front of Carvajal.

Real Madrid's full-back secretly gasped in shock: Kroos's ground pass... couldn't even produce such terrifying lead distance!

"Right flank!"

"Great opportunity!"

"Is he going to cross?"

No cross.

How could Fosalrico defend against Carvajal?

The latter tore open a breakthrough gap with just a simple fake and a pull!

He suddenly accelerated.

Laterally charging into Croatia's penalty area!

He was about to sweep the ball low toward the goal.

Seeing Morata run into space, he hesitated for a fraction of a second.

His foot shape changed abruptly.

The football was lofted into the small box!

The passing line was extremely vague.

Right in the zone between Subasic and the defensive line!

Croatia's goalkeeper dared not come out!

Thud!

Morata lunged forward with his upper body!

I've heard of double-footed reversals, but never of a reverse header!

He violently flung his head!

The football roared as it blasted open Croatia's goal!

2:1!!!

"This goal went in!"

"What a rollercoaster match!"

"How simple and direct this two-wing circumvention passing attack is!"

"Li Kang's high-speed advance and diagonal pass were too crucial—just after coming on, he caught the Croatian team off guard!"

"No problem, this goal was not offside!"

"Carvajal's lofted pass assisted, Morata headed it in, Spain regained the lead!"

Live stream.

Bullet comments poured like a waterfall.

-【Morata's head, never lets a single bun go to waste!】

-【This Spanish number 6 youngster is truly fierce—he'll surely blow up the internet after the match.】

-【Zidane possessed? Li Mingdeng is godlike—what a perfect, elegant Marseille turn.】

-【Elegant, too elegant.】

-【Everyone can do the Marseille turn, but only two people can achieve such flair: Zidane and Maradona... and Li Kang!】

-【Spain's attacking pattern this time has nothing to do with La Masia's possession system—two-wing circumvention, simple and efficient advance... whose tactical system is this? They tore through Croatia's half in just over ten seconds!】

-【You guys watch closely—after changing teammates, little Li Zi is a T0-level midfielder.】

-【Scored three goals before halftime ended—so satisfying! I can call takeout early.】

-【Modric didn't know Li Kang well enough; once he does, he'll be able to contain him—I believe Croatia can still turn it around!】

-【Impossible—look at both teams' teammate setups, the gap is huge. Following cup strategy, neither side will go all out in the first group match... they still need to save energy for the Czech Republic and Turkey.】

Toulouse Stadium, echoing with the cheers of Spanish fans.

Carvajal closed his eyes, opened his arms, waiting for Morata's embrace.

The two were iron brothers during their youth training days.

Hmm?

Half a day passed without feeling that familiar warmth...

Where is he?

Real Madrid's full-back opened his eyes, seeing Morata's guy running toward Li Kang!

The childhood friendship boat capsized.

"You little brat, wait for me!"