Sure enough!
Rashim, who was defending in the penalty area, made a breakout with a kick.
The football flew towards the front field.
Lu Yang had a broad view, and he turned green at once.
What the heck...
Do I really have to use the Moment Card?
Lu Yang sprinted back to his own half.
But it didn’t mean much.
While he was still in the midfield, Mancini was already uncontested and dribbling fast towards the top of the arc of the penalty area.
Cortino, alone, looked at Mancini, and at Lu Yang and others who were actively retreating near the midfield line, he made a bold decision in his heart.
Perhaps... this is the only way!
Three seconds later... a whistle echoed through the stadium!
Mancini fell near the arc of the penalty area, rolling on the ground.
Cortino stood still, head down, with a face that was seventy percent serious and thirty percent expectant.
"You’re the best, brother!" Lu Yang was the first to rush over, hugging Cortino, then quickly turned and ran toward the main referee, shouting, "That was a clean defense, a good defense!"
The main referee almost burst into laughter, while fumbling at the pocket in front of his chest, said, "I now believe ’The Invisible Guest’ was written by you, you do deserve the Best Screenplay award at Cannes."
"I saw it very clearly, young man, Cortino went for the man, he didn’t touch the football!"
Lu Yang spread his hands and said, "Okay, then give them a free kick at a great position, we accept that."
The main referee shook his head: "This is not about the free kick, he disrupted a brilliant counterattack, there were no other defenders behind him besides the goalkeeper, and such strategic fouling to delay a counterattack has to come at a price."
Lu Yang kept his hands waving, speaking, "No, you can’t make that ruling, he already has a yellow card, you can’t give him another yellow card! This will ruin a classic game!"
Lu Yang tried his best to influence the main referee’s decision.
Many times, a red card can ruin a classic game.
Therefore, there is significant pressure when a main referee issues a red card.
That kind of decisive referee, who gives a red card at a critical moment, is either a hired black whistle or truly an excellent, famous whistle!
And this main referee... was the latter.
A yellow card undoubtedly rose in the main referee’s hand, facing Cortino.
Then, the main referee withdrew the yellow card, then took out a red card from his back pocket, also shown to Cortino.
At this moment, the players of the Italy National Youth Team were struck like by lightning, and they all surrounded him.
But Lu Yang, having tried everything, knew it was futile, he reached out and stopped everyone.
At this moment, Mancini also got up, he wasn’t injured, he understood Cortino’s intention, and in the choice between risking injury to shoot, dribble, or giving up control of the football for a free kick, he chose the latter.
On one hand, the latter was more beneficial for him to protect himself.
On the other hand, the latter could also give Cortino a second yellow card.
It was a smart decision.
Lu Yang walked over, accompanied Cortino to the sidelines, and faced the boos of the England fans from the stands with him.
Then, Lu Yang suddenly raised his hands high, his palms opening and closing, making a clapping gesture.
He signaled to the Italy fans in the stands, encouraging everyone to join him in applauding.
Cortino is a hero!
His foul, in some people’s eyes, might have been reckless.
But to Lu Yang, Cortino did not let Italy concede another goal directly, this was the best defense.
At the very least, Cortino maintained a glimmer of hope for the Italy National Youth Team.
Applause started to resonate.
From sporadic, to fervent.
In the stands, all of the Italy fans and most of the neutral fans began to clap.
They admired Cortino, this brave man.
Lu Yang made everyone realize that a defender who dares to actively receive a yellow card, no matter the outcome, is deserving of respect!
Cortino was worthy of such applause.
The young Cortino’s eyes were filled with tears, and finally, he couldn’t help but cry out.
He hugged Lu Yang on the sideline, his voice trembling: "I know you’ve created many miracles in San Remo, you can even beat Rome and AC Milan! Now, bring your magic to all of Italy, okay?"
"Don’t let the Italy National Youth Team be eliminated in such a miserable way, okay?"
A few seconds later, Lu Yang’s solemn reply reached Cortino’s ears.
"Okay!"
Lu Yang turned around, his back suddenly seemed large and majestic in the tear-filled eyes of Cortino.
A man, once he says it, he will do it!