However, when Clerc went to grab Li Mingyu, he realized one of Li Mingyu's feet had already crossed into the penalty area.
Clerc hesitated. If he reached out, it would be the standard package: a yellow card and a penalty.
If the referee was feeling particularly harsh, a red card and a penalty weren't out of the question either.
It was only the twentieth minute of the first half. If Clerc got sent off or picked up a yellow card, the team might as well lie down and let Barcelona do whatever they wanted for the rest of the match!
In the blink of an eye, Clerc's hesitation gave Li Mingyu the opening he needed to charge straight into the penalty area.
One-on-one with the goalkeeper.
This time, Li Mingyu didn't try to round the goalkeeper. The opposing center-backs were already closing in.
Goalkeeper Fernandez charged off his line, looking tense. He spread his arms wide, trying to make himself look bigger—partly to intimidate Li Mingyu, and partly to cover more of the goal.
Seeing the goalkeeper's exaggerated stance, Li Mingyu simply used the inside of his foot to guide the ball forward. It slipped through the gap between Fernandez's long legs.
Through both sets of legs. 0–2.
Barcelona were now two goals ahead of Levante at the home side's own ground.
The goal drew a chorus of displeased boos from the fans in the stands.
It was hard to tell whether they were aimed at Li Mingyu or goalkeeper Fernandez.
Or perhaps they were for Vukcevic, who had just run back.
Vukcevic had only started chasing after Li Mingyu had already surged two meters forward.
Speed wasn't his strong suit. He had no chance of catching up with Li Mingyu once he'd picked up pace. All he could do