De Bruyne had never doubted the quality of Li Luo's through balls.
Li's passes... definitely took the opposing goalkeeper's positioning and blocking stance into account.
If it felt awkward for me...
Then the problem definitely wasn't Li. It was my finishing... I still needed more practice.
The ball grazed the Everton goalkeeper's white glove and slammed into the crossbar.
Then it ricocheted into the net.
The white net rippled gently.
0-1!!!
Thunderous applause erupted from the away stands at Goodison Park.
[Shock value +1!] [Shock value +1!] [Shock value +1!] [...]
The wildly rising shock value did not disrupt Li Luo's thoughts.
He was savoring the feel of those two receptions and escapes, as well as the timing of the second escape, when he had seized the opening in the opposing defense...
The geometric model of Spatial Awareness in his mind kept rotating.
"Li!"
Rather than celebrating alone after scoring, De Bruyne ran excitedly toward the Chinese teenager.
But two teammates beat him to it.
Bendtner draped an arm over Li Luo's shoulders and tapped his own forehead. "Wasn't my knockdown crucial?"
Malanda leaned in excitedly. "Li, the boss told me to protect you, but I knew getting the ball to you was what mattered most."
"No, what matters most right now is celebrating!"
Li Luo led his teammates charging toward the away stands.
A roar swept over them.
The Wolfsburg fans answered with their most fervent cheers and applause.
In the CCTV-5 commentary booth.
The commentator could not help slapping the desk in admiration.
"Beautiful!"
"It's in!"
"Li Luo linked up with De Bruyne to breach Everton's defense!"
"A blistering through ball from the Chinese prodigy after an elegant escape."
"A clinical finish from the Belgian prodigy after a perfectly timed run."
"Perfect understanding!"
"Wolfsburg have taken the lead!"
"For a Chinese player to perform this well against a Premier League side like Everton on the Europa League stage, Chinese fans certainly won't hold back their applause!"
"Chinese football has been quiet for far too long."
"A long time ago, a Chinese player once played for Everton."
Coach Zhang was full of emotion. That move Li Luo had used to escape his opponent before delivering the through ball had been exquisite-a supremely precise calculation of spatial awareness and the distance between bodies while moving to receive the ball.
In the livestream chat.
A slow-motion replay showed the entire attack.
-[Over 1 is one goal away from paying out. Thanks to all twenty-two good guys on the pitch.]
-[Hecking, the managerial mastermind, has perfectly built a dual-engine midfield around Li Luo and De Bruyne.]
-[Who would've thought Li Luo could play this well even against a team like Everton?]
-[Everton have shown some seriously impressive raw quality. I thought Wolfsburg would lose.]
-[Li Luo has had slightly more touches tonight.]
-[There's still a long way to go. If Wolfsburg keep trading attacks, Everton are dangerous enough to equalize and take the lead in no time.]
In the technical area.
"Defend!"
"Set up in a low block now."
"Fuck, cup football is all about defending."
Hecking looked calm, every inch the managerial maestro, as he gently instructed the coaching staff to pass on his orders.
They would stick to Hecking's Wolfsburg specialty this season: park the bus and exploit transitions.
The middle-aged assistant coaches were still hugging each other enthusiastically, celebrating the goal.
On the other side.
Martínez wore a complicated expression.
Spanish coaches were prone to overthinking...
Everton's defending down the flanks had been flawless.
Yet Li Luo had pierced them through the middle?
Why?
Why had Li Luo shown no sign of this Front-Facing Reception Escape approach in his earlier Bundesliga matches?
His thoughts gradually wandered.
The Everton manager suddenly understood. It must be Hecking. He was worried that overusing a young genius like Li Luo would cause an injury, so he had him temporarily change his style of play this season.
In that respect, I'm not as good as Hecking.
Damn it, we're behind. How am I still thinking about this?
He reined in his thoughts.
Martínez beckoned his midfielders over and patiently gave them instructions face-to-face.
Looking toward Wolfsburg's celebrating players.
McCarthy felt a little downcast.
He had been so close to stopping that kid Li Luo.
Stones bent over in frustration and sighed.
Night slowly wrapped around Goodison Park like a coarse cloth soaked in seawater, and the blue ocean that had churned fiercely in the stands briefly fell still as the score changed.
Lukaku remained expressionless as he reassured his teammates. "Li's a super genius. Why else would he have sat beside me at the Europa League draw? There's still plenty of time left. He might even score."
The match restarted at the center circle.
After the ball rolled gently forward, the Everton players, poised to attack, surged across the halfway line.
"Very fluid."
"Martínez is a very capable coach. He's made several changes to the Toffees."
"Take McCarthy, for example. He was originally a defensive midfielder, but now his attacking qualities have been developed too."
"There's an increasing emphasis on fluid positions, players being able to fill multiple roles, and covering more ground."
"Oh, the whole Wolfsburg team has retreated into their own half."
As time passed.
The home fans grew a little anxious:
Their Lady Toffee, a blue blade in hand, kept attacking the armored fat wolf huddled inside the penalty area.
She could not break through.
Wolfsburg were shameless. One goal ahead, and they had parked the bus.
"Everton's golden boy, Barkley!"
"A powerful shot from distance!"
"It's wide."
"No need to rush. During a spell of settled possession, a long-range effort from the golden boy can really lift morale."
Barkley raised a hand to apologize to his teammates.
He acknowledged that he had not struck it well.
He was regarded as the homegrown player who came closest to being an "Everton academy jewel" since Wayne Rooney.
The minutes and seconds ticked away.
Hecking had made up his mind to have Wolfsburg park the bus.
But the spectators gradually noticed something: why did Wolfsburg seem to be attacking more often?
Whenever Everton lost possession while attacking.
Wolfsburg launched a ferocious counterattack.
De Bruyne guided the ball forward with pinpoint long passes.
The other players charged upfield like mad.
Everton's high defensive line was meticulously organized, repeatedly snuffing out danger.
This was Li Luo's first time playing in such a "fast" match.
The back-and-forth tempo is too quick.
Possession keeps changing hands.
The geometric model of Spatial Awareness operated faster and faster.
He could not help thinking of Football matches: The health bar theory.
Its premise was that most football matches involved continually draining both teams' stamina while looking for opportunities to change the score.
Fortunately, Li Luo had already noticed this in his previous matches, and his management of his stamina had gradually improved.
Thanks to his Spatial Awareness, most of his running on the pitch was purposeful and sensible.
Mud and grass clippings gradually stained his white jersey, sweat soaked his black hair, and the wind whistled past his ears.
[Shock value +1!] [Shock value +1!] [...]
Li Luo was a little baffled. Even this earns shock value? What's going on?
"OPTA's live heat map is out."
"Mm."
"You have to look at Li Luo's areas of activity in conjunction with his movement."
"Over this stretch..."
"His defensive cover and positioning have been crucial."
"His timing when pushing forward and when spreading the attack out in a fan shape has been perfect."
"He's not slow, his footwork is very nimble, and his running form is biomechanically sound."
"In defensive phases, he's very reminiscent of Matthäus, and also Beckenbauer."
Coach Zhang's tone was serious.
He was an old man who had started watching football early and had seen many legends of the game play.
In the livestream chat.
-[Li Luo looks so handsome when he runs.]
-[When you're handsome, even eating shit looks handsome.]
-[His running form is biomechanically sound, and he doesn't need extra steps to slow down, especially when changing direction. It really suits the physical demands of a top league. But why does it feel like he learned it from Giroud...]
-[Ah, football tactics and techniques keep evolving. Whatever type they are, the midfield maestros of the future will all need to be able to run.]
-[It's not going to end like this, is it? I took over 2.5 on the opening line!]
The cheers at Goodison Park grew quieter and quieter.
The overhead LED screen displayed numbers that made Everton fans' hearts tighten.
"Everton are running out of time."
"We're in the eighty-eighth minute."
"The score is still 0-1!"
"Could we see five minutes of stoppage time?"
The situation changed abruptly.
After receiving a pass from a teammate, Lukaku suddenly pulled wide.
Then he began driving diagonally toward the opposing defense from the corner of the penalty area.
Facing Wolfsburg fullback Sebastian.
Lukaku did not turn into some delicate, swooning maiden.
He knocked the ball toward the byline, created an angle, and unleashed a thunderous shot!
A shot from a tight angle!
Smack!
The ball slammed into the hand of the other fullback-Ricardo.
"..."
"Handball."
"Handball inside the penalty area."
"Ricardo was tracking Mirallas. As he shifted his weight, he couldn't pull his arm in quickly enough."
The referee blew his whistle, raised his hand, and pointed to the penalty spot.
A roar swept through the stands.
Goodison Park, which had been quiet for so long, sprang back to life with wave after wave of cheers.
Hecking covered his face helplessly.
Martínez slapped his thigh in excitement.
The Everton players embraced excitedly, encouraging one another.
The Wolfsburg players did not blame Ricardo.
The shot had been too fast.
He had been caught off guard.
"We've just been a little unlucky."
Their captain, Benaglio, patted his fellow defender on the head. "Don't blame yourself."
A moment later.
Lukaku carried the ball to the penalty spot.
"When a team is in trouble, someone has to step up."
"Can the Belgian striker, Lukaku, become Goodison Park's hero?"
"..."
He placed the ball on the spot.
Then kept backing away.
Near the edge of the penalty area, Lukaku took a deep breath and planted his feet.
The referee blew his whistle.
Peep!
The tens of thousands in attendance tensed up.
Some fans even covered their eyes.
"..."
Benaglio bounced around on his line, making exaggerated movements to distract his opponent.
Huh?
What's taking so long? Why hasn't he taken it yet?
"Here he comes!"
"He's like a raging bull."
Lukaku began his run-up, his big backside swaying.
He reached the ball.
His arm swung up, his leg swept through.
Bang!
The ball rocketed away like a cannon shell.
As though possessed by a goalkeeping god, Benaglio launched himself into a dive, his pink glove reaching the ball!
Lukaku seemed to lose every ounce of strength and slumped forlornly onto the turf.
Then something miraculous happened.
The saved ball struck the Belgian striker's shiny, egg-shaped forehead... and ricocheted into the net.
1-1!!!
The stadium fell silent.
Even that went in?
Lukaku raised his head blankly, looking at the Everton stands celebrating wildly and his teammates charging toward him in excitement.
"Beautiful!"
"A stunning headed follow-up!"
"In the first minute of stoppage time, Lukaku has brought Everton level!"
"Brilliant."
"Benaglio's save was already outstanding."
"Lukaku got lucky there."
The commentator sounded both amused and helpless.
What a shame.
They would not get to witness Li Luo's first European win.
Coach Zhang saw it differently: it came down to probability and fatigue. After sustained pressure, Everton, with their superior overall quality and home advantage, had finally taken their chance at the death.
Li Luo glanced up at the overhead LED screen.
Stoppage time.
There were roughly three minutes left.
I can't give up.
[Shock Value gained: 158426]
If I can earn a few tens of thousands more shock value, could I redeem two [Europa League All-Stars Blind Boxes]?
He hurried into the net, scooped up the ball, patted Benaglio and Ricardo on the head as he passed, then turned and ran toward the center circle.
Seeing this, his Wolfsburg teammates quickly followed the Chinese teenager.
A few minutes.
So little time, yet so much.
In the technical area.
Hecking and his middle-aged assistants were deeply moved.
"Li isn't just a genius. He also has outstanding character."
"He won't give up until the very last moment!"
"That fighting spirit..."
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't start thinking about clocking off. Think about how to get the ball to Li!"
On the other side.
Martínez swept his hand through the air.
"We've equalized."
"For these last few moments, keep putting pressure on Li!"
Play restarted at the center circle.
Bendtner kicked off, passing back into his own half.
Li Luo and several teammates quickly surged beyond the center circle.
The ball rolled swiftly along the turf.
"Malanda."
"He knows exactly what to do, lofting it toward Li Luo straightaway."
"Why has he hit it so high...?"
Forty meters from goal in Everton's half.
Li Luo leaped high.
His jumping stat was far from low.
With Spatial Awareness, he could judge the ball's flight even more precisely.
A heading stat of 98.
A headed layoff.
Smack!
As though brought to life, the ball traced an exquisite arc through the air, floating lightly toward De Bruyne to one side.
"Wow!"
"Li Luo's headed layoff... absolutely sublime!"
"It's even better than Malanda's pass with his foot!"
The instant De Bruyne lifted his foot to control it.
A shudder ran through him.
That feels incredible.
That touch.
I've never felt anything like it.
Li... heading is supposed to be Li's weakness. How can he lay off a pass that's so comfortable to receive?
Just how good is he?
He did not hesitate.
He controlled the ball, then nudged it farther toward the flank.
Adjusted, stretched the defense.
Adjusted, stretched the defense.
Adjusted again, stretched them again.
Three adjusting steps.
The moment he forced Everton's defensive line to narrow, the Belgian midfielder had already spotted Li Luo's run.
Zone 14.
In an instant.
De Bruyne seemed to blaze with roaring flames as he raised his arm and swung his leg!
Smack!
He committed fully, sending the ball away in a rainbow arc!
"Wow!"
"Bendtner is pinning Everton's center-backs."
"The ball is dropping toward zone 14."
"Li Luo is surging into zone 14."
"Ball and player arrive together."
"Hammer it!"
On the overhead LED screen, stoppage time had entered its final moments.
Tens of thousands of spectators held their breath, their eyes fixed on the Chinese teenager near the penalty area.
Everton's bruisers were no pushovers.
On their grueling journey to fifth in the Premier League last season, they had fought bloody, close-quarters battles with plenty of elite players!
Barkley and McCarthy.
They charged at Li Luo simultaneously from either side.
Li Luo knew exactly what was happening, but Wolfsburg no longer had time to rebuild their attack.
At the very last moment.
I have to fight for a chance!
Bang!
His forehead met the dropping ball.
With his body airborne, he luckily escaped the two Everton midfielders' crushing pincer movement, taking only a slight clip to the shoulder.
They hit the ground together.
"Oh!"
"The referee has blown his whistle."
"An Everton foul! Li Luo has won Wolfsburg a free kick in an excellent position!"
Li Luo was fine.
He quickly climbed off Barkley.
He waved at the referee: no problem, just give those two red cards.
The Referee Team couldn't help laughing.
Barkley and McCarthy looked grim as they frantically tried to explain.
The technical area.
Hecking and his middle-aged assistants were beside themselves with excitement.
At the very last moment.
Li Luo had earned them a chance to snatch the winner.
Once this free kick was taken, the match would end.
On the other side.
Martínez remained calm, loudly reminding his players of the key details in defending a set piece.
He even sent a big man like Lukaku into the penalty area to serve as an obstacle!
The tens of thousands of fans in the stadium grew even more nervous.
Wolfsburg had several players with excellent technique.
Li Luo looked like the sort of guy who could hit a lethal free kick.
"The final moments."
"We've already gone beyond the allotted stoppage time."
"Once Wolfsburg take this free kick, the referee will blow for full time."
"We can see Caligiuri and De Bruyne both standing near the ball."
"The camera cuts to a close-up of the Italian."
"A determined gaze."
"A deep breath."
"He begins his run-up."
But unexpectedly...
Caligiuri stepped over the ball and kept running toward the penalty area.
De Bruyne began his run-up.
He knew who to send the ball to...
Smack.
The ball flew toward Everton's penalty area.
The wall leaped high.
Bendtner's face was squashed into a pig's snout between two Everton players.
"The far post."
"Wow!"
The next moment.
The entire stadium gasped.
At the far post, Li Luo picked the perfect moment to make his move, easily shaking off the 180-centimeter-tall McCarthy.
He drove hard off the turf.
He soared into the air.
The instant the featherlight ball met his forehead, it transformed into a cannonball!
Smack!
Howling.
Spinning.
With ferocious, overwhelming power, it blasted unstoppably into Everton's goal.
1-2!!!
"The winner!"
"Li Luo has scored the winner at the very last moment!"
"When the great roc takes flight upon the wind, it soars ninety thousand miles into the sky."
Before you continue