Chapter Summaries

Tang Ye and China national football team faced the Netherlands in the historic World Cup quarterfinal, with the Dutch dominating the opening attacks. Tang Ye launched a counterattack and nutmegged Virgil van Dijk before Denzel Dumfries fouled him and received a yellow card.

• Tang Ye considered Mohammad-José’s lucrative Saudi offer but decided to focus on the quarterfinal against the Netherlands.
• Chinese fans and celebrities, including Emperor Armor, LeBron James, and Tang Rui, sent support to China national football team before the match.
• China national football team and the Netherlands announced their lineups, then entered the stadium as Chinese fans raised a Grim Reaper tifo depicting Tang Ye.
• The Netherlands pressed down the wings early, but Wang Dalei saved Bergwijn’s shot after a series of dangerous attacks.
• Tang Ye headed clear a Dutch corner, then joined Fernando’s counterattack and nutmegged Virgil van Dijk before Denzel Dumfries tripped him and earned a yellow card.

China national football team struggled against the Netherlands’ five-man defense and fell behind to Cody Gakpo’s goal, while Tang Ye’s apparent equalizer was disallowed after a VAR review. The first half ended with China trailing 1:0 and needing to adjust its tactics.

• Denzel Dumfries fouled Tang Ye, and the Netherlands repeatedly pressured him as China struggled to create chances.
• Tang Ye set up Elkeson for a shot that went wide, while Netherlands threatened through Depay and Gakpo.
• Memphis Depay’s header hit the post, and Cody Gakpo scored the rebound to give the Netherlands a 1:0 lead in the 23rd minute.
• Tang Ye scored from long range, but the referee disallowed the goal after VAR ruled he had fouled Daley Blind earlier in the move.
• Jiang Guangtai prevented another Netherlands goal, and the first half ended with China trailing 1:0.

China national football team came back from 2–0 down against the Netherlands as Tang Ye scored twice in the closing minutes, including a direct free kick. Denzel Dumfries was sent off, and the 2–2 draw sent the match into extra time with China facing ten opponents.

• Wout Weghorst scored in the 74th minute to put the Netherlands 2–0 ahead, and Wang Shenchao came on for Li Lei.
• Tang Ye finished a counterattack in the 81st minute to cut the deficit to 2–1, while Wei Shihao received a yellow card for trying to retrieve the ball quickly.
• Denzel Dumfries fouled Tang Ye and received a second yellow card, leaving the Netherlands a player short.
• Fernando won a direct free kick after Virgil van Dijk blocked his shot with a hand, and Escribá knelt on the touchline as Tang Ye prepared to take it.
• Tang Ye scored directly from the free kick to equalize at 2–2, sending the match into extra time.

China and the Netherlands traded red cards during extra time, then failed to score and went to a penalty shootout. Virgil van Dijk scored the Netherlands’ opening penalty, and Tang Ye equalized for China.

• China defended compactly in extra time, but Zhang Linpeng was sent off for a foul that stopped Weghorst’s breakaway.
• Luuk de Jong and Wu Lei received yellow cards, and Zhang Yuning came on for Fernando.
• Gakpo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, leaving the Netherlands with nine players against China’s ten.
• Tang Ye missed a late free kick, and Zhang Yuning headed over before extra time ended without a goal.
• The Netherlands won the coin toss and chose to take the first penalty; Virgil van Dijk scored past Wang Dalei.
• Tang Ye took China’s first penalty and scored to make the shootout 1–1.

China national football team defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup semifinals, with Wang Dalei saving Berghuis's decisive kick. The team and its fans celebrated the historic victory as Tang Ye taunted the Dutch supporters.

• De Jong missed the Netherlands' second penalty, while Wu Lei scored for China national football team.
• Wang Dalei saved Teun Koopmeiners's penalty, but Zhang Yuning missed China's third kick and Wout Weghorst scored for the Netherlands.
• Feng Xiaoting scored off the post to put China national football team ahead 3-2, and Wei Shihao prepared to take the team's fifth penalty.
• Wang Dalei saved Berghuis's penalty, sealing China's 3-2 shootout victory and a place in the semifinals.
• Tang Ye celebrated with his teammates and shushed the Netherlands supporters while Chinese fans sang and cheered in the stands.

After China defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup semifinals, Tang Ye celebrated the historic win and reflected on seizing rare opportunities. Escribá then boasted about his achievement and threatened to fight Erik ten Hag, while China prepared to await its semifinal opponent in Doha.

• Chinese fans tossed Tang Ye into the air after China eliminated the Netherlands, and Zhang Yuning reminded him that he had predicted the team could win.
• Tang Ye told reporters that China had been under pressure but that Dumfries' red card was a turning point, and he urged the team to seize its rare World Cup opportunity.
• At the press conference, Escribá claimed he had done better than Lippi and attacked Erik ten Hag, threatening to beat him if he came to a China match.
• Reports celebrated China's semifinal berth and Tang Ye's record-setting performance, including eight goals in five matches and 16.71 kilometers covered against the Netherlands.
• Tang Ye predicted France would beat Brazil, while the team traveled to Doha to await its semifinal opponent after two exhausting knockout matches.

China waited to learn its semifinal opponent, hoping Brazil would beat France, but France won 4:1 and set up a match against China. Dembélé joked that he would be the big brother against Tang Ye, while FIFA confirmed the full semifinal pairings.

• Chinese experts and fans hoped Brazil would defeat France, while Tang Ye said he expected France to win but would still cheer for Brazil.
• Tang Ye and his teammates discussed their confidence and recovery after beating the Netherlands, with Tang Ye saying he expected to recover in time.
• France defeated Brazil 4:1, with Dembélé, Hernández, and Giroud among the scorers, and advanced to face China.
• Dembélé praised Tang Ye's ability to create miracles, then joked that he would be the big brother in their World Cup semifinal.
• FIFA announced China versus France and Argentina versus Portugal as the semifinal matchups, and Dembélé asked Tang Ye to let him beat him head-on.

China prepared to face defending champions France in the first World Cup semifinal in its history, with Tang Ye and Ousmane Dembélé trading playful boasts before kickoff. The chapter ended as the teams entered Lusail Stadium and the broadcast showed Tang Ye anxiously waiting in the tunnel.

• Tang Ye and Dembélé exchanged late-night messages, joking about the Ballon d'Or and their upcoming semifinal.
• Chinese and French fans traded elaborate tactical ideas and rallied behind their teams as the match approached.
• Tang Ye and Dembélé greeted each other in the stadium tunnel, where Dembélé confirmed that he and Kylian Mbappé would start on the wings.
• Dembélé told reporters that France had studied Tang Ye extensively and believed the team was prepared to slay a god.
• Escribá urged China to play freely, and Tang Ye rallied his teammates before kickoff.
• The broadcast opened at Lusail Stadium, where the giant screen showed Tang Ye nervously fidgeting in the tunnel.

China struggled to create chances against a well-prepared France, and France took a 2–0 lead in the semifinal. Tang Ye kept urging his teammates on as the first half continued.

• France started strongly, but Tang Ye blocked Aurélien Tchouaméni’s shot before China failed to turn the rebound into a counterattack.
• Tang Ye was dispossessed by Mbappé and France repeatedly shut down China’s attacks.
• Olivier Giroud scored in the 33rd minute after a pass from Aurélien Tchouaméni, giving France a 1–0 lead.
• Feng Xiaoting shouldered Mbappé out of bounds, but China’s counterattack soon ended when Ibrahima Konaté stole the ball from Wu Lei.
• Tang Ye fouled Konaté to stop France’s attack, and Dembélé’s header fell to Mbappé, who scored France’s second goal.

After trailing France 0–2 at halftime, China debated whether to conserve strength for the third-place playoff or keep pursuing a comeback. Tang Ye led a counterattack that won China a penalty, leaving him poised to take it.

• Mbappé scored France’s second goal, and the first half ended with China trailing 0–2.
• Escribá argued that China should adjust without exhausting the players, while Tang Ye insisted they still had a chance to fight back.
• Tang Ye and Chi Zhongguo moved farther forward after halftime as China looked for attacking opportunities.
• Wu Lei helped win the ball back, and Tang Ye launched a long pass to Zhang Yuning, who laid it off for Wei Shihao to attack the box.
• Lloris fouled Wei Shihao in the penalty area, and the referee awarded China a penalty and showed Lloris a yellow card.
• Tang Ye took the ball and walked into the penalty area to take the kick.

Tang Ye converted a penalty and later set up Fernando for a goal that brought China national football team within one, but France restored its two-goal lead. The chapter ended with the score 4:2 after Theo Hernández scored his second goal.

• Tang Ye scored from the penalty spot after Wei Shihao won a penalty, making the score 1:2.
• Escribá sent Jiang Guangtai on for Zhu Chenjie as China national football team sought an equalizer.
• Griezmann finished a passing move involving Hernández and Dembélé to restore France’s two-goal lead.
• Wang Dalei launched a long throw to Fernando, who passed to Tang Ye; Tang Ye evaded Varane and Griezmann before setting up Fernando to score and make it 2:3.
• Theo Hernández combined with Koundé, Kolo Muani, and Mbappé before scoring to make it 4:2.

China national football team lost 1:4 to France in the World Cup semifinal, ending Tang Ye’s dream of reaching the final. Tang Ye blamed himself despite encouragement from teammates and France’s Ousmane Dembélé and Mbappé, while Escribá accepted responsibility and prepared for the third-place match.

• Hernández scored his second goal, France dominated the match, and Elkeson’s apparent goal was ruled offside before the final whistle confirmed China national football team’s 1:4 defeat.
• Tang Ye sat on the pitch in tears and punched the turf as France celebrated reaching the final.
• Tang Ye confronted Escribá in the locker room, arguing that the team could have fought back after scoring a penalty, while Escribá defended his decisions and admitted his tactical mistakes.
• Ousmane Dembélé and Mbappé found Tang Ye outside the locker room, encouraged him, and wished him luck in the third-place match before Tang Ye wished them luck in the final.
• Escribá told reporters that China national football team had been unprepared for knockout-stage opponents and said the team would give its all in the third-place match.
• A fan urged Tang Ye not to cry, and Tang Ye later told a reporter that he might have forced extra time if he had played better.

China lost 2–4 to France in the World Cup semifinal, and Portugal’s 2–1 victory over Argentina set up a third-place match between China and Portugal. Tang Ye and Escribá reconciled and prepared to fight for a medal, with Escribá apologizing that he could not take Tang Ye to the final.

• After China’s semifinal defeat, Li Laoba blamed France’s speed and argued that Escribá could do little against their attackers.
• Li Laoba predicted Portugal would beat Argentina, while commentators and experts debated which team would advance to the final.
• Escribá looked for Tang Ye, but Mati suggested he speak with him after Argentina’s match against Portugal.
• Bruno Fernandes scored for Portugal, but Argentina won 2–1 and advanced to the final, leaving Portugal to face China in the third-place match.
• Escribá apologized to Tang Ye for arguing after the defeat, and they agreed to give everything against Portugal and aim for a medal.
• Before Tang Ye left, Escribá apologized that he could not take him to the final, and Tang Ye urged them to be more rational.

Tang Ye prepared China national football team for the World Cup third-place playoff against Portugal while privately admitting to Mati that he doubted China could close the gap with the strongest European teams. The match began with Tang Ye and Cristiano Ronaldo leading their teams onto the pitch, and Portugal started Felix despite his poor form.

• Tang Ye studied Portugal's match footage and told Zhang Linpeng, Wei Shihao, and Feng Xiaoting how to defend against Leão's speed and unstable dribbling.
• Mati recognized that Tang Ye had not recovered from the semifinal defeat, and Tang Ye said the gap between China and top teams like France was too great to overcome in four years.
• News reports announced China national football team's Asian Cup plans and semifinal bonuses, while the team reflected on its lack of depth after losing to France.
• Tang Ye said he would trade the possible Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards for a chance to reach the final, despite leading the World Cup scoring chart with nine goals.
• Tang Ye and Cristiano Ronaldo greeted each other before the third-place playoff, and the match began with Portugal starting Felix in a 4-3-3 formation.

China and Portugal traded goals in a high-tempo first half of the World Cup third-place playoff. China’s early lead had become a 2–1 Portugal advantage by halftime, leaving Escribá frustrated as his plan to take control in the first half failed.

• Wei Shihao received an early yellow card after shoving Bernardo Silva, and China struggled to find its rhythm.
• Wei Shihao set up Tang Ye for a close-range shot, but Diogo Costa saved it.
• Tang Ye scored from long range after a counterattack, giving China a 1–0 lead.
• Cristiano Ronaldo equalized with a header from Otávio’s corner, then had another goal ruled offside.
• Bruno Fernandez scored after Cristiano Ronaldo’s backheel, putting Portugal ahead 2–1 near halftime.
• Escribá clenched his teeth as Portugal carried its lead toward the break.

The China national football team trailed Portugal 1–2 at halftime, but Tang Ye’s free-kick cross set up Jiang Guangtai to equalize after Cristiano Ronaldo had an offside goal disallowed. Portugal regained the initiative late in the chapter, with Rafael Leão crossing toward Cristiano Ronaldo.

• Cristiano Ronaldo and B. Fee criticized Portugal’s first-half performance, and Portugal brought on Rafael Leão and Cancelo while China replaced Wei Shihao with Fernando.
• Rafael Leão’s breakthrough helped Portugal score through Cristiano Ronaldo, but the referee ruled the goal out for offside and booked B. Fee for protesting.
• Tang Ye took a long-range free kick and sent a 45-Degree Cross to Jiang Guangtai, who headed the ball into the net to make it 2–2.
• Tang Ye nearly scored after cutting toward the byline, but the goalkeeper saved his shot and Pepe cleared the rebound.
• Portugal brought on Vitinha for Rúben Neves, and Vitinha helped launch an attack that sent Rafael Leão down the flank.
• Rafael Leão burst past Zhang Linpeng and crossed toward Cristiano Ronaldo.

China national football team came from behind to equalize against Portugal, then scored a late winner to take a 4:3 lead. Wu Lei's goal stood, leaving China on the brink of its first World Cup medal as the final whistle sounded.

• Bruno Fernandes scored his second goal to put Portugal ahead 3:2, and Santos brought on Gonçalo Ramos as Portugal shifted into defense.
• Tang Ye scored with an outside-foot strike from Zhang Xizhe's corner routine to make it 3:3, and Escribá urged China to win in normal time.
• China and Portugal traded attacks and substitutions, while Tang Ye struck the junction of the crossbar and post and both teams missed other chances.
• Escribá dropped to his knees as Tang Ye drove into the box, drew Pepe's foul, and passed to Zhang Yuning, who laid the ball off for Wu Lei.
• Wu Lei scored the late winner to make it 4:3, the referee confirmed the goal, and the final whistle sounded.

China national football team defeated Portugal 4–3 to win the first World Cup bronze medal in Asian history. Tang Ye celebrated the victory but warned that the team faced deep problems, prompting debate about the gap to elite teams and the Football Association.

• China national football team players celebrated their 4–3 victory over Portugal as Escribá and Mati joined them on the pitch.
• Tang Ye congratulated B. Fee, while Cristiano Ronaldo left for the players’ tunnel without speaking to him.
• Infantino awarded China national football team its bronze medals, and Tang Ye received the third-place playoff MVP trophy.
• Tang Ye said China national football team still had serious problems and a large gap from top European and American teams, though he did not know how to solve them.
• Tang Ye’s remarks and his World Cup scoring records sparked public debate, with newspapers questioning whether the Football Association was responsible for the team’s problems.

France defeated Argentina 2-1 to defend the World Cup, while Tang Ye won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot. After Cristiano Ronaldo invited Tang Ye to consider Al Nassr, Tang returned to China, where he pushed for increased investment in domestic football and secured new sponsorship support for the national team.

• Before the final, Ousmane Dembélé said Tang Ye deserved the World Cup Golden Ball and vowed Messi would not outscore him.
• France beat Argentina 2-1 as Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Dembélé assisted both goals, earning the final MVP award.
• FIFA named Tang Ye the World Cup Golden Ball winner and Golden Boot winner with 11 goals, while France celebrated its title.
• Cristiano Ronaldo called Tang Ye about Saudi clubs and urged him to consider Al Nassr, though he said the club could not afford to sign Tang Ye in the next few years.
• At a Chinese football meeting, Tang Ye proposed restarting big-money investment with greater spending on domestic players, competitions, and youth development, and Escribá supported the proposal.
• PPBond announced more than £7 million in annual sponsorship for the China national team, while Tang Ye pressed Adidas to sponsor the team as a condition of renewing his contract.

Tang Ye tried to acquire Guangzhou Evergrande but abandoned the idea after learning its debts and operating costs would require nearly 5 billion yuan. As he prepared for the Club World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup, Boer proposed turning Tang Ye’s sponsorship interest into funding for Chinese football.

• Tang Ye asked Boer to investigate buying Guangzhou Evergrande, then learned the club’s debts and three years of operating costs would make the purchase too expensive.
• Boer proposed the acquisition of Guangzhou through PPBD, but the shareholders rejected it, and Tang Ye publicly acknowledged that the deal probably could not happen.
• Manchester United beat Arsenal 2-0, with Tang Ye assisting and Mei Kai scoring twice; Tang Ye said he was focused on the Club World Cup and would not consider Al Hilal’s interest for now.
• Transfermarkt valued Tang Ye at €360 million after Manchester United continued its winning streak.
• Tang Ye told Boer he still wanted to win the World Cup with China, and Boer proposed requiring companies that sponsored Tang Ye to provide additional funding for the national team and Chinese football.