Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Still Cristiano Ronaldo!

On the pitch, the Turris right-back was still chattering away, but everyone knew he had indeed caught Lu Yang's ankle.

Step-overs are inherently prone to drawing fouls, especially when the opponent is reckless with their challenges.

Lu Yang's recent sequence of midfield penetration and inward-cutting dribbling made him seem like a different person—incredibly sharp and highly efficient.

Ignoring the opponent's entanglement, he picked up the ball and walked to the penalty spot.

Without a doubt, Lu Yang was going to take this penalty himself.

Within the San Remo squad, no one had any objections, not even their primary penalty taker, Rondo.

Rondo knew this was a match that belonged to Lu Yang.

Lu Yang never stole anyone's glory, but whenever the team fell into a predicament, he was always the first to stand up and shoulder the burden.

That was Lu Yang.

Watching Lu Yang prepare for the spot-kick, Maniero shook his head in the stands: "I suddenly find it hard to keep watching."

Carlisle took a deep breath; he hadn't been this nervous even when taking penalties himself: "Are you worried about San Remo losing?"

Maniero shook his head: "I'm worried about the unwillingness that will show on Lu Yang's face if San Remo loses. That feeling is enough to make one want to die; I know that experience all too well."

Latuidi remarked: "Are you afraid he can't handle it? If he can't accept that, he should stay away from football."

Maniero replied: "He can accept any outcome, but I fear he might lose his relentless pursuit of victory and his drive thereafter. That would be a loss for the world of football!"

Those around them fell silent; they didn't understand why Maniero held Lu Yang in such high regard.

Indeed, the world is not lacking in those who are sincere.

But how many can remain sincere and continue to chase victory after suffering a defeat?

After Hazard's team was eliminated, he was seen laughing and chatting with the opposing players. While they were his friends, was his pursuit of victory still as fierce as before in that moment?

The eyes are the windows to the soul.

Only two people could display that kind of resolute gaze in every single match.

One in football, one in basketball.

One is still fighting, while the other has departed without warning, because God wanted to watch a basketball game.

Boom!

No bells or whistles.

Lu Yang unleashed a powerful strike, the ball flying straight into the top-left corner of the net.

Even if the goalkeeper had guessed the direction correctly, he wouldn't have been able to save this penalty, let alone having guessed wrong.

Lu Yang quickly ran into the goal, grabbed the ball, and sprinted toward the center circle.

The match time had reached the eighty-sixth minute.

"GOAL! Lu Yang converts the penalty, pulling another one back for San Remo! San Remo trails two to three. Lu Yang has shown what it means to be tough today; San Remo is gritty enough—they may be defeated, but they go down with honor!"

"If not for the injury wave in the final two rounds, losing three starters in a row, San Remo might not have lost today! What a pity!"

Whistle!

The match resumed once more.

San Remo launched a frantic press.

Turris, on the other hand, abandoned their previous attacking stance and began to defend and waste time.

With little time left, they only needed to hold the score to secure the league title—why bother attacking?

Besides... after Lu Yang stepped up, the San Remo side seemed to have been injected with adrenaline, especially with Lu Yang's midfield sweeping ability, which was truly alarming.

As Turris retreated, San Remo began to take the initiative on the field.

Lu Yang also began his relentless, repetitive forward runs once again.

In the ninetieth minute of the match, Moric sent a through ball that pierced through three defenders, delivering the ball to the feet of the advancing Lu Yang.

Lu Yang received the ball on the left side of the penalty area, and the Turris right-back rushed to close him down.

Lu Yang used his old trick, his legs spinning wildly over the ball.

Continuous step-overs!

The Turris defender didn't dare to commit this time, but his center of gravity was quickly shifted by Lu Yang's chain of dribbles.

Seizing the moment, Lu Yang performed a drag-back and flick.

This was the setup for the Knee-Tap Lift.

It involved pulling the ball backward while simultaneously using the toe of the other foot to poke it forward.

This created a deceptive sense of rhythm, making it look like the player was about to stop the ball, when in reality, it was sent flying forward.

This would deceive the defender, creating a prime opportunity to attack.

The Turris right-back's attention had already been heightened by Lu Yang's step-overs, leaving him jittery and suspicious.

Now, as Lu Yang's drag-back and flick came out, his body instinctively reached out to intercept, only to be bypassed by Lu Yang entirely.

The Turris right-back, realizing he had been tricked, tried to push off to chase Lu Yang, but the sudden exertion caused his legs to splay out. He slipped, landing hard on the pitch in a full split.

But no one was paying attention to him anymore.

Because Lu Yang had already wound up his leg.

From the left side of the penalty area, he unleashed a Dipping Shot!

The goalkeeper was on high alert.

Was this a Rising Shot or a Dipping Shot?

Lu Yang was capable of both, but the results were worlds apart.

Furthermore, the goalkeeper had no way of judging based on the ball's initial trajectory.

Both shots flew at the same height through the first half of their flight; only in the latter half would a distinct arc emerge.

But by the time that happened, not even a god could save it.

The goalkeeper raised his hands instinctively.

Yet, the ball dipped instantly, forcing him to drop to his knees in a desperate attempt to recover.

He was too slow!

The ball flew right through his legs and slammed into the net, kicking up a brilliant spray of white mesh!

"My god! GOAL!"

"He scored, he scored, he scored, he scored!"

"Lu Yang nets a brace! After shaking the Turris right-back, he fires a rocket that nutmegs the keeper and dips into the net!"

"A magnificent individual performance! At this moment, he is possessed by the spirits of Serie A legends like Carlisle, Ancarelli, and Perotta! He is not fighting alone!"

"That was an absolute thunderbolt of a strike; he has kicked a glimmer of hope into San Remo's title dreams!"

"San Remo has tenaciously leveled the score! It's three-all with six minutes of stoppage time remaining—San Remo still has a chance!"

"Turris played too conservatively in the final minutes; they will pay the price for their complacency!"

"The overall performance of the other San Remo players might not match Turris today, but looking strictly at the time since Lu Yang's injury, San Remo has undoubtedly held the upper hand."

"They have unleashed their raw grit, like a wounded beast—ferocious and powerful!"

"This is the second time today Lu Yang has fished the ball out of the Turris net. He is playing through injury, yet he grows stronger with every battle. He deserves the respect of everyone who loves football!"

"Oh, we can see Sophia on the sidelines, celebrating Lu Yang's goal like a madwoman. Could this goddess be the source of Lu Yang's strength?"

"Perhaps Sophia doesn't even know the jersey she's holding belongs to Lu Yang, or perhaps she doesn't even know who he is, but after this match, she will surely fall deeply in love with him! Every San Remo fan will fall in love with Lu Yang!"

"He is omnipotent! He never gives up!"

The Turris players grew nervous as well.

They could afford a win, or even a draw, but they could not afford to lose.

As long as they remained undefeated, they would be the champions of the Serie D.

But if San Remo won, they would leapfrog Turris with 78 points, taking the top spot by a single point.

There was no reason to hand over a championship trophy that was already within their grasp!

Moreover, San Remo's successive goals had ignited the anger of the Turris players once again.

Do you really think you can win?

We were just trying not to push ourselves too hard.

Since you are forcing us to put our lives on the line, then let's do it!

Turris substituted their right-back; he had slipped and suffered a thigh strain, and it looked like he wouldn't be playing football for a while. Not everyone was like Lu Yang, capable of overcoming injuries on the pitch.

After the restart, Turris began to organize their attack again, and this time, they played with considerable aggression.

For a moment, San Remo's advantage was neutralized.

The pitch turned into a meat grinder; players from both sides collided, and it became nearly impossible for anyone to maintain possession of the ball for long.

Possession changed hands constantly in a short span of time.

But as this chaos unfolded, Moric showcased his talent as a master of the scramble.

He rarely lost the ball; his reactions were lightning-fast, and he could distribute the ball with speed.

Whenever his side lost possession, he was the first to rush in and win it back. In these three or four minutes of chaotic play, his impact was no less significant than Lu Yang's contributions on the defensive end.

The drive of these two defensive anchors shifted the balance slightly back in San Remo's favor.

"We..." Tom looked at the clock; only one minute remained.

"We can win!" Soto watched the pitch. "The situation is chaotic, and the formations have broken down; there's no such thing as organization anymore. But... Moric has the ability to pass quickly. His half-turn passing and shooting will surely expose the opponent's gaps in a situation like this!"

Tom replied, "But Moric's ability isn't consistent. The error rate for those kinds of passes is very high, which is why he rarely uses them in matches."

After all, he had to be mindful of his stats; Moric knew how important stats were for a young player.

Some coaching staffs even judge the quality of a midfielder based on data rather than the flow of the game.

When it comes to winning or losing, a goal created by a single opportunity to pierce the opponent's defense outweighs everything else.

But from a midfielder's perspective, some believe that flashy passing success stats are superior.

These are two different schools of thought, and currently, the latter holds the upper hand; Moric is powerless to overturn it, so he can only comply.

Yet deep down, his innate drive for rapid passing and shooting, for the kill in one strike, has never been extinguished.

So...

BANG!

Moric contested the ball with his back to the opponent's goal, and without even looking around, he immediately executed a quick half-turn pass-shot!

It looked as if he were merely clearing the ball.

But it miraculously found a pocket of space—near the left side of the arc at the edge of the opponent's penalty area.

And there, Lu Yang had already arrived at the spot.

He drew his bow like an arrow!

BANG!

Lu Yang didn't hit the ball!

He was brutally brought down by the Turris center-forward who had tracked back!

Lu Yang didn't roll on the ground; instead, he flipped himself up and slammed his chest into the opponent.

The opponent didn't back down.

A flash of desolation crossed his eyes: "I did everything I could. You lost!"

Lu Yang reached out to keep his teammates, who were trying to come over and cause trouble, at bay, because he saw the same thing in the eyes of this Turris center-forward that he saw in his own.

That was a hunger for victory.

He used every means necessary, but he fully utilized the rules.

He knew what awaited him, yet he did it without hesitation, just to stop Lu Yang's attack.

From the perspective of Turris, this center-forward was the greatest hero of the match.

You would love a player like this if he were on your team.

But you would hate him if he were on someone else's.

There are many such players; they are highly controversial, but they are all incredibly loyal to the game. The "bad boys" of the major leagues are often just such people.

"You're strong. You won't stay in Serie D or Serie C forever. I'll be waiting for you in Serie A to defeat me!" the Turris center-forward said, then turned and walked away.

The referee first showed him a yellow card, then, following a second yellow, showed him a red card.

His match was over.

But it didn't matter.

The match time had already exceeded stoppage time; San Remo had one final free kick, and once this ball was taken, the match would end.

"Hey!" Lu Yang called out to stop him. "What's your name?"

The man stopped, turned his head to look at Lu Yang, and said, "Diego Talista! I'm twenty-four this year."

Lu Yang was stunned: "I thought you were thirty..."

Diego Talista replied speechlessly, "Many people think that. I've missed many transfer offers because of it, and I'm used to it. This is the pitch; let's talk later. I'm also interested in a tough nut like you."

Lu Yang said, "No need to wait for Serie A."

Talista frowned: "What?"

Lu Yang said, "I said, to defeat you, I don't need to wait until I get to Serie A. I will win this match!"

Talista laughed: "Madman!"

Lu Yang: "Watch from the sidelines. I am terrifyingly strong!"

With that, Lu Yang walked toward the wall that had already been set up.

"Moric, trust me!" Lu Yang looked at Moric.

Free kicks were usually taken by Moric.

This was different from a penalty.

A penalty tests mental fortitude, but a free kick requires genuine, solid technique.

This wasn't something you could do with just passion.

"How about I pass it to you, and we set up a play?" Moric knew what Lu Yang wanted to do, but he had already done enough today, and it was time for others to step up and take responsibility.

"Trust me!" Lu Yang placed both hands on Moric's shoulders.

Moric looked into Lu Yang's eyes and nodded.

He trusted Lu Yang.

Lu Yang had said it before: he had watched this match, and they won!

"Oh, it's not Moric standing before the ball, but Lu Yang! This is so unexpected!"

"Lu Yang is not a player known for his exceptional footwork; the best set-piece taker at San Remo is Moric."

"Yet, for some reason, I don't feel surprised by this decision at all."

"Perhaps after the match, many will criticize Lu Yang for disregarding team tactics and stealing this free kick. But I must say, this is Lu Yang!"

"From the moment he cleared the ball with his face, from the moment he dove headfirst to snatch the ball from an opponent's feet, from the moment he refused to be subbed off despite his face streaming with blood, from the moment he argued with coach Soto, from the moment he sat on the sidelines to have the team doctor stitch his wound... we know, this is Lu Yang!"

"He never leaves his fate in the hands of others. Win or lose, he fights until the very last second, and he takes full responsibility for all his actions!"

"Lu Yang is ready; he begins to back away!"

"His gait is quite unique; it's as if he is measuring the earth with his own feet."

"Five steps. Lu Yang has retreated five steps."

"His gaze is incredibly resolute. These eyes are perhaps the most beautiful and captivating eyes in the world at this very moment."

"But to the Turris players, this is perhaps the most terrifying gaze in the world."

Around the San Remo Municipal Stadium, all sound vanished.

Everyone held their breath.

They didn't know why they were doing it.

Because they didn't realize until now just how much they craved a miracle.

Lu Yang took a deep breath!

Lu Yang began his run-up!

Lu Yang unleashed a thunderous strike!

BOOM!

The ball soared high, clearing the wall.

The goalkeeper had gambled correctly.

He guessed that if Lu Yang was taking this free kick, he must be confident.

Lu Yang had already displayed many sides of himself today that he had never shown before.

He could strike a high-quality free kick!

A smile appeared on the Turris goalkeeper's face.

But the next moment, his smile froze.

Because the ball suddenly plummeted from mid-air, swaying left and right with an unpredictable trajectory.

Others might have just seen a dipping ball.

But the goalkeeper saw the ball darting up, down, left, and right...

He had no idea where it would land, and his center of gravity was completely compromised by the ball's erratic movement.

BANG!

The goalkeeper stood like a statue, raising his hands only to let the ball brush past him.

It was less of a save and more of a surrender!

Behind him, a white wave surged!

The next moment, the world collapsed!!!

A tremor comparable to an magnitude-eight earthquake erupted at the San Remo Municipal Stadium.

At this moment, all of Italy seemed to tremble for the black-and-white sprite that had appeared inside the goal.

The ball is in!