Chinese fans should understand this feeling very well.
No matter the match, whenever it gets to the most exciting part, the Chinese Team must have already resolved all the suspense early and gone home to watch the game.
From this perspective, the National Team never misses the habit of watching every focal event, which is really touching.
On the Italy Team’s side, everyone is quite excited.
A big win!
Today is bound to be a big win!
Otherwise, it would be hard to wrap things up!
Canyes also deliberately glanced at Maniero beside him, meaning "Coach, with the game won like this, you probably won’t substitute me, right?"
Sure enough, over there Maniero is already discussing the match specifics with Sogel, Kolber, and Morici.
They are clearly about to go on.
On the substitute bench, Scamacca looks a bit disappointed.
Perrotta on the field seems fine, Ancelotti and Finger also don’t want to be substituted at halftime.
Finger is worried that being substituted means his future starting position will become increasingly precarious.
And Ancelotti... wants to score more goals!
Ancelotti is holding the football; he is the Italy National Team’s first penalty taker.
At the Main Referee’s signal, Ancelotti places the ball and steps back a few paces.
He takes a deep breath and resolutely shoots toward the right.
Also, this seems to be a release for his recent dismay.
But... maybe he’s truly connected with this side’s goalpost.
Bang!
The ball hits the right post again and bounces into the penalty box.
The Russian defender immediately rushes over and clears with a big kick, sending the ball out of bounds!
Boom!
In an instant, the stands erupt with earth-shattering cheers from the Russian fans!
Russia survives in a desperate situation!
The penalty kick didn’t finish them off; who else is there to ask?
Maguire?
Finger heads to the Corner Flag Area, ready to take the corner kick.
Lu Yang discreetly signals a one to Finger.
Still go for the tactical corner.
The Russian players’ emotions are very unstable now; what they lack most at this moment is composure and judgment.
Having narrowly survived, they are excitedly running and jumping, but asking them to think—absolutely stressing all that newly secreted dopamine!
Canyes also walks over.
Immediately, someone from Russia follows Perrotta, but little do they know, Lu Yang is standing slightly outside the crowded group.
He’s ready to sprint and jump. When everyone falls, he can certainly stand above the rest.
Bam!
Finger kicks the ball!
Lu Yang is momentarily stunned.
What the heck!
No tactical corner?
This...
Of course, Finger might have his reasons.
After all, they played a tactical corner last time, so mimicking the move but not executing might catch opponents off guard?
But according to Lu Yang’s thinking, a tactical corner still catches opponents by surprise, doesn’t it?
After all, who would expect you to repeatedly execute tactical corners?
This reasoning doesn’t hold up.
The real reason, excluding some personal perceptions, is that Finger and Lu Yang’s assessments of the field situation are different.
Finger thinks the opponent is chaotic now, making a header chance likely amidst the confusion.
But Lu Yang believes the opponent is spirited now, perhaps jumping even higher than usual.
Missing a penalty impacts both teams’ morale greatly.
To say it has no effect is impossible.
Many football matches, when played to the end, are all about spirit and even superstition.
Bang!
Indeed!
Despite playing with one less Russian, their players rise from shame, jump high, seize the first drop point, and head the ball out of the penalty box.
And coincidentally, Olic just happens to control the ball.
Even though there are two Italy players beside Olic, he is a top-level right winger.
Boom!
With a direct Fried Meatballs maneuver, Olic evades defense and rapidly advances with the ball.
Lam is behind him, increasingly distant, unable to catch up.
Bernulin’s position behind is too far from Olic’s lateral path; despite his best efforts to move toward Olic, by the time he crosses the center, Olic and he cross paths directly, breaking through.
One-on-one!
Audi faces Olic calmly, but Olic is even calmer, performing two consecutive feints upon entering the penalty area.
Left in the lurch, Audi lunges to save, but Olic deceives the goalkeeper, firing explosively into the empty net!
The ball stirs up waves of white spray!
One to two!
Russia pulls a goal back!
With only ten players, Russia still has hope!
They show what true fighting spirit of a warrior nation is!