Chapter 548: Closing Ceremony (Daily Transition)

July 14.

There is still one day left until the World Cup Final countdown.

Li Kang and his teammates watched the third-place match at a Moscow hotel: Brazil vs. Croatia.

The Shengbidebao stadium was bathed in bright sunshine.

The match took a miraculous turn.

Modric led the weary checkered team, actually managing to hold off the star-studded five-star samba on the field.

The commentator was a bit dumbfounded.

You should know: Brazil's attacking trident consists of William, Jesus, and Neymar.

Of course.

Brazil's midfield setup is no good.

Apart from Coutinho, the other two are engineering players who play for Chinese Super League clubs.

"In the third-place match, neither side has much psychological pressure, so they'll go all-out attacking!"

"Brazil's midfield still can't deal with Modric."

"Modric's fighting spirit is truly admirable."

"Croatia frequently lets its two center-backs take turns pushing forward for Lovren's diagonal crosses!"

"Alisson's timely rushes defuse danger."

"."

"Neymar!"

"Four ounces deflect a thousand pounds."

Finally.

The samba stars lay dejected on the turf.

The Croatian female president enthusiastically hugged Modric, mua mua mua.

Business card.

Football is the business card that this tiny nation of only four million people presents to the world.

Croatia had prepared in advance the ceremony to welcome the team's triumphant return:

Fighter jet escort.

Flight performance, colored smoke screens.

The nation declared a holiday, 550,000 fans gathered in Zagreb to witness the heroes' return.

Moscow hotel.

Li Kang and his teammates finished watching the third-place match.

No one talked about tomorrow's final; what they most needed to do was ensure sufficient rest, letting body and mind completely relax.

Iniesta whispered: "Li, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Cazorla, David Silva, Busquets, Ramos, Carvajal and other injured players also chimed in.

Complex feelings quietly spread among the crowd.

The dim yellow lighting, green tablecloths, and red chairs made the entire hotel conference room look like a regret-filled artistic film.

Li Kang nodded seriously.

The system alert blared wildly.

【Power to Reverse the Tide Module triggered.】

【Detected teammate Iniesta injured, gain: Cliff Walker.】

【Detected teammate Ramos injured, gain: 9248.】

【Detected teammate Carvajal injured, gain: Winger's Nemesis.】

【Detected teammate Cazorla injured, gain: Balanced Feet AX.】

【Detected teammate David Silva injured, gain: King of the Flank.】

【Detected teammate Busquets injured, gain: Simplify the Complex.】

【.】

【Comprehensive bonus: Environment Adaptation S Module (Legendary).】

The bonus prefix sounds impressive, but given Li Kang's current ability attributes, the increase isn't as huge as during his Arsenal days.

As for the S-level Environment Adaptation module? It's good, but... could there be a heavy rain in the World Cup Final?

That night.

The French team's hotel.

The little black eggs didn't go out to eat fast food.

Each one full of energy, brimming with confidence.

Pogba showed unusual composure, actually spending the whole day in front of the computer studying Spain's match footage.

Watching, watching, this guy actually muttered to himself: "Whatever Li can do, I can do too!"

Kanté couldn't help but laugh; it wasn't the first time he'd seen this scene.

As Li Kang's Chelsea partner, Pogba's France teammate.

Kanté thought: purely in terms of physical hardware, these two young midfielders possess historical-level control radius, flexibility, ankle strength, etc., freakish traits.

But the contest of midfield cores involves more than just physique.

He gathered his thoughts.

Kanté still felt confident about this final.

He went to the next room to check on the youngest Mbappe, telling him not to have too much pressure.

But he saw Matuidi open the room door and immediately raised his index finger in a shushing gesture.

"Shh! Kilian is asleep."

"This kid is really a monster, not at all nervous."

The French coaching staff held their final tactical meeting.

They did not deploy any complex attacking chains.

In national team cup competitions, overly complex tactics are not a good thing.

Everything is ready.

But Deschamps always felt something was missing.

July 15.

Moscow, Luzhniki Stadium.

Over eighty thousand spectators from around the world filled the stands on all sides.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers."

"We are now broadcasting live the closing ceremony of the 2018 Russia World Cup."

"In twenty minutes, the final showdown of this World Cup will take place here."

A blue carpet was laid across the green field.

The performers sang and danced.

Accompanied by a cheerful melody, they gathered together, each raising their LED boards overhead.

A miraculous scene unfolded.

"The makeshift LED screen actually began to play a highlights reel of wonderful goals from this World Cup."

When Li Kang's figure appeared on the screen, the entire stadium erupted.

To most fans, this match was an epic battle as the football emperor reigned over Moscow!

Immediately afterward.

The blue carpet rippled with waves.

Ronaldinho twisted his waist and tapped on a small drum.

An American singer and an Albanian singer performed the World Cup's theme song "LiveItUp".

The song and dance performance filled with Russian cultural elements proceeded in segments.

The atmosphere gradually rose.

German legend Lahm and Russian model Wo Ji Ya Nuo Wa, holding the World Cup trophy, walked out of the tunnel.

"This World Cup ran from the opening match on June 14 to the closing ceremony on July 15, lasting thirty-two days, and was held in twelve stadiums across Russia!"

"Encore."

"It is also the climax!"

"We are about to witness the ultimate showdown of the 2018 World Cup!"

"Spain versus France."

"No matter which side wins, they will make history, leaving their mark once again on the World Cup trophy!"

Pre-match press conference.

Bosk and Deschamps shook hands and embraced.

Their relationship was very good.

In the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, they had mutually supported each other from afar.

Facing questions from media reporters.

Bosk's smile remained warm, as if he were an old man chatting with you.

"Most of our main players are missing from the match, but the substitutes are also excellent; I believe they can create history together with Li!"

"My current mood is calmer than before the South Africa World Cup final."

There was still something left unsaid.

This was his last match as a coach.

Looking back on that trip to the island country, the feeling of Li Kang Bosk, who first showed his talent in the national team, was like a dream.

On the other side.

Deschamps was asked about the European Cup two years ago.

He smiled.

"The French team is stronger than it was two years ago."

"Li is too."

"I even found his earliest official match footage, with the opponent being France U18."

"This World Cup final gathered a group of the most talented young players from around the world."

(End of chapter)