Inside the Etihad Stadium, a muffled bang tore through the air. The ball flashed across the pitch like a startled bird, barely grazing the left post before drilling into Man City's goal.
Man City goalkeeper Courtois launched himself sideways, but he was just a hair too late. That tiny difference meant he could do nothing to stop the ball from hitting the net. All he could do was watch helplessly as it flew into the goal he guarded, then angrily hammer the grass beneath him.
It had been a magnificent direct Free Kick, with no one else to blame.
If blame had to be assigned, it could only go to Cristiano Ronaldo for taking the Free Kick with such pinpoint accuracy.
Had it been even slightly off target, it would never have gone in.
But he had placed it perfectly.
One-one!
Cristiano Ronaldo raced excitedly toward the corner, striking his signature celebration pose. He looked like a statue, and the Real Madrid players rushed after him to celebrate the goal.
Su Dong stood at the edge of the penalty area, watching his best friend score a magnificent direct Free Kick against his own team. The feeling was truly complicated, but more than anything, he was happy for Rony.
That goal had really been beautiful!
"His Free Kicks are getting more and more dangerous." Pepe walked over and spoke quietly.
He had been standing in the wall just now and had watched Rony take the kick from a close distance, so he felt it even more deeply.
"You looked terrified just now, afraid he'd aim straight at you." Su Dong laughed.
Pepe grinned when he heard that. "If it hadn't been an equalizer, I'd honestly think that, with the way he plays, it was entirely possible."
The two of them laughed