Double Reward? (Two-in-one)

De Bruyne had never doubted the quality of Li Luo's through balls.

"Li's passes... definitely take the opposing goalkeeper's positioning and blocking stance into account."

"If I feel uncomfortable,"

"then it definitely isn't Li's problem. It means my finishing... still needs work."

The football grazed Everton's goalkeeper's white glove and slammed fiercely into the crossbar.

It then deflected into the net.

The white net rippled gently.

0:1!!!

The away stand at Goodison Park immediately erupted with thunderous applause.

[Shock Value +1!]

[Shock Value +1!]

[Shock Value +1!]

[...]

The wildly rising Shock Value did not disrupt Li Luo's thoughts.

He was reliving the sensation of shaking off his markers with those two touches, as well as the timing of spotting the flaw in the opposing defense immediately after his second escape...

The geometric model of Spatial Awareness in his mind kept spinning.

"Li!"

De Bruyne did not celebrate alone after scoring. Instead, he ran excitedly toward the Chinese teenager.

However, two teammates beat him to it.

Bendtner hooked an arm over Li Luo's shoulder and slapped his own forehead. "Wasn't my layoff crucial?"

Malanda eagerly leaned closer. "Li, the boss told me to protect you, but I know that passing the ball to you is the most important thing."

"No, the most important thing now is celebrating!"

Li Luo led his teammates toward the away stand.

A wave of noise erupted.

Wolfsburg's fans responded with their most passionate cheers and applause.

CCTV-5's broadcast studio.

The commentator could not help slamming the desk in praise.

"Beautiful!"

"It's in!"

"Li Luo links up with De Bruyne and tears through Everton's defense!"

"A razor-sharp through ball after the Chinese prodigy elegantly shook off his marker."

"A one-touch finish after the Belgian prodigy's incisive run."

"Perfect chemistry!"

"Wolfsburg have taken the lead!"

"A Chinese player performing this brilliantly against a Premier League side like Everton on the Europa League stage—Chinese fans will certainly not hold back their applause!"

"Chinese football has been quiet for far too long."

"A long time ago, there was once a Chinese player who played for Everton."

Director Zhang was deeply moved. Before Li Luo played that through ball, the way he got past his opponent was the essence of it all—an ultimate calculation of Spatial Awareness and positional distance while receiving the ball.

The livestream.

The slow-motion replay showed the entire attacking sequence.

-[Big 1 is waiting for a card. Thanks to the twenty-two good men on the pitch.]

-[Master tactician Hecking has perfectly built a two-core midfield system around Li Luo and De Bruyne.]

-[Who would have thought Li Luo could play so well against a team like Everton?]

-[Everton's raw strength looks terrifying. I thought Wolfsburg would lose.]

-[Li Luo has had slightly more touches tonight.]

-[There's still a long way to go before the final whistle. If Wolfsburg keep trading attacks, Everton are terrifying—they could equalize and turn it around in minutes.]

Technical area.

"Defend!"

"Set up a low block from here on."

"Damn it, cup competitions are won on defense."

Hecking remained calm, carrying himself like a renowned manager as he gently had the coaching staff relay his instructions.

They were sticking to the bread and butter of Hecking's Wolfsburg this season: parking the bus and hitting on the transition.

The assistant coaches were still passionately embracing each other in celebration of the goal.

On the other side.

Martínez wore a complicated expression.

Spanish managers were prone to overthinking...

Everton's wing defense had been nearly perfect.

Yet Li Luo had torn through the middle?

Why?

Why had Li Luo not shown this kind of awareness to receive the ball with his back to goal and turn away from pressure in the previous Bundesliga matches?

His thoughts gradually drifted.

Everton's manager suddenly came to a realization. "It must have been Hecking. He was worried that a young genius like Li Luo would be overused and get injured, which was why he had temporarily changed his style of play this season."

"In that regard, I'm inferior to Hecking."

"Damn it, we're behind. How can I still be thinking about this?"

Pulling himself back.

Martínez waved the midfielders over and patiently gave them instructions.

Watching the celebrating Wolfsburg crowd from afar.

McCarthy felt a little dejected.

He had been just a tiny bit away from stopping Li Luo.

Stones bent over in frustration and sighed.

The night was like a piece of coarse cloth soaked in seawater, slowly wrapping around Goodison Park. The blue sea that had been raging through the stands briefly fell quiet as the score changed.

Lukaku expressionlessly consoled his teammates. "Li is a super talent. Otherwise, why would he have been sitting beside me during the Europa League draw? There's still plenty of time left in the match. He might even score."

The match restarted from the center circle.

After the ball rolled gently forward, Everton's poised players charged across the halfway line.

"Very smooth."

"Martínez is a very capable manager. He's made many changes to the Toffees."

"For example, McCarthy was originally a defensive midfielder, but now his attacking attributes have been developed as well."

"There's an increasing emphasis on fluid positions, on players being able to fill multiple roles, and on covering more ground."

"Oh dear, the entire Wolfsburg team has dropped back into their own half."

As time passed.

The home fans grew somewhat anxious:

Their Toffee Lady wielded a blue blade, relentlessly attacking the armored fat wolf cowering inside the penalty area.

But she just couldn't break through.

Wolfsburg were too shameless. After taking a one-goal lead, they had simply parked the bus.

"Everton's crown prince, Barkley!"

"A thunderous long-range shot!"

"Wide of the target."

"Don't panic. In this phase of positional play, a long shot from the crown prince really lifts morale."

Barkley raised his hand to apologize to his teammates.

Signaling that he had not struck it well.

He was regarded as the local player closest to becoming Everton's next "academy gem" after Wayne Rooney.

Time ticked away, second by second.

Hecking made up his mind to have Wolfsburg park the bus.

But the spectators gradually noticed: why did Wolfsburg seem to be attacking more often?

Whenever Everton lost possession during an attack, Wolfsburg launched a fierce counterattack.

De Bruyne sent guided long balls forward.

The other players charged ahead like mad.

Everton's high defensive line was deployed with great precision, repeatedly defusing the danger.

It was Li Luo's first time playing such a "fast" match.

"The back-and-forth transitions are too quick."

"Possession keeps changing hands."

The geometric model of Spatial Awareness ran faster and faster.

He could not help recalling Football Matches: The Health Bar Theory.

Its premise was that most football matches involved constantly draining both sides' stamina, seeking opportunities to change the score during the process.

Fortunately, Li Luo had noticed this in earlier matches, and his stamina distribution had gradually become more reasonable.

Thanks to Spatial Awareness, most of his runs on the pitch were effective and sensible.

His white jersey gradually became stained with mud and grass clippings, his black hair soaked with sweat as the wind howled past his ears.

[Shock Value +1!]

[Shock Value +1!]

[...]

Li Luo was a little baffled. This can raise Shock Value too? What's going on?

"OPTA's real-time heat map is out."

"Mm."

"Li Luo's area of activity needs to be viewed alongside his running."

"During this stretch..."

"His defensive cover and positioning were crucial."

"His timing when pushing forward and when launching wide attacks was all but perfect."

"He isn't slow, and his footwork is very agile. His running form is highly scientific."

"In the defensive phase, he resembles Matthäus, and he also resembles Beckenbauer."

Coach Zhang spoke in a serious tone.

He was quite old, had started watching football early, and had seen many football legends play.

In the livestream chat.

-[Li Luo looks so cool when he runs.]

-[When you're handsome, even eating shit looks cool.]

-[It's because his running form is scientific, and he doesn't need extra steps to slow down. Especially during transitions, it suits the physical environment of top leagues perfectly. But why does it feel like he learned it from Giroud...]

-[Sigh, football tactics keep evolving. Future midfield maestros, no matter what type they are, will have to be able to run.]

-[It can't end like this, can it? I bet over 2.5 on the opening line!]

The cheers at Goodison Park grew quieter and quieter.

The LED screen hanging overhead displayed numbers that made Everton fans' hearts clench.

"Everton do not have much time left."

"The match has reached the 88th minute."

"The score remains 0-1 for now!"

"There could be five minutes of stoppage time?"

Then, a sudden change occurred.

After receiving a pass from his teammate, Lukaku sharply drifted wide.

He then began charging at the opposing defense from the diagonal edge of the penalty area.

Facing Wolfsburg's fullback—Sebastian.

Lukaku was not about to play the frail damsel.

He drove toward the byline, shook free some space, and unleashed a thunderous shot!

A shot from a tight angle!

Smack!

The ball slammed viciously into the hand of the other fullback, Ricardo.

"..."

"Handball."

"Handball in the penalty area."

"Ricardo was marking Mirallas, and while shifting his balance, he had no way to pull his arm back in time."

The referee blew his whistle, raised his arm, and pointed to the penalty spot.

Whoosh!

Goodison Park, silent for so long, instantly came back to life as wave after wave of cheers erupted.

Hecking covered his face helplessly.

Martínez slapped his thigh excitedly.

The Everton players embraced excitedly, encouraging one another.

The Wolfsburg players did not blame Ricardo.

The opponent's shot had been too fast.

It had caught him completely off guard.

"We were just a little unlucky."

Captain Benaglio patted his fullback teammate on the head. "Don't blame yourself."

A moment later.

Lukaku carried the ball to the penalty spot.

"When trapped in adversity, someone had to step forward."

"Belgian striker Lukaku—could he become the hero of Goodison Park?"

"..."

At the penalty spot, he placed the ball down.

Then he kept backing away.

Near the edge of the penalty area, Lukaku took a deep breath and steadied himself.

The referee blew his whistle.

Beep!

The tens of thousands in the stadium could not help but tense up.

Some fans even covered their eyes.

"..."

Benaglio bounced around in front of the goal, making exaggerated movements in an attempt to distract his opponent.

Hm?

He had waited so long—why had the penalty not been taken yet?

"Here he comes!"

"He was like an enraged bull."

Lukaku swung his massive backside and began his run-up.

He reached the ball.

His arms rose, his leg swung.

Bang!

The ball shot out like a cannonball.

Benaglio seemed possessed by a god as he launched himself into a dive, his pink gloves brushing the ball!

As if all strength had left him, Lukaku fell dejectedly onto the turf.

Then something miraculous happened.

The saved ball happened to strike the Belgian striker's egg-shaped bald head... deflected, and flew into the net.

1:1!!!

The entire stadium fell silent.

That went in too?

Lukaku looked up blankly at Everton's wildly celebrating stands and his excited teammates rushing toward him.

"Beautiful!"

"A stunning headed follow-up!"

"In the first minute of stoppage time, Lukaku helped Everton equalize!"

"Brilliant."

"Benaglio's save had already been outstanding."

"Lukaku got lucky."

The commentators sounded both amused and helpless.

What a shame.

They would not get to witness Li Luo's first European victory.

Director Zhang saw it differently: it was a matter of probability and physical exertion. After sustained attacks, Everton, who were stronger overall and held home-field advantage, had finally seized their chance at the very end.

Li Luo glanced at the LED screen overhead.

Injury time.

There were roughly three minutes left.

He could not give up.

[Shock Points Gained: 158426]

If he could get a few tens of thousands more Shock Points, could he exchange them for two [Europa League All-Stars Blind Box] draws?

He quickly ran toward the net, scooped up the ball, patted Benaglio and Ricardo on the heads as he passed, then turned and ran toward the center circle.

Seeing this, the Wolfsburg players quickly followed behind the Chinese youngster.

A few minutes.

The time was short, yet long.

In the technical area.

Hecking and the assistant coaches were deeply moved.

"Li isn't just a genius. He also possesses exceptional mental strength."

"Never give up until the very last moment!"

"That kind of fighting spirit..."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't start thinking about clocking off. Start thinking about how to get the ball to Li!"

On the other side.

Martínez waved a hand.

"The score is level now."

"With only a tiny bit of time left, keep turning up the pressure on Li!"

The match restarted from the center circle.

Bendtner kicked off and passed back.

Li Luo and several teammates swiftly surged across the halfway line.

The ball rolled rapidly along the grass.

"Malanda."

"A very clear idea—he immediately lofted the ball toward Li Luo."

"Why did he pass it so high...?"

Forty meters inside Everton's half.

Li Luo leaped high.

His jumping attribute was not low.

With Spatial Awareness, his prediction of the ball's trajectory became even more precise.

98 heading points.

A flick-on.

Smack!

The ball seemed to come alive, tracing an exquisitely delicate arc through the air as it lightly leaped toward De Bruyne on one side.

"Wow!"

"Li Luo's headed layoff... flawless to the extreme!"

"The quality is even higher than Malanda's passes with his feet!"

The instant De Bruyne raised his foot to control the ball, his entire body trembled.

It felt incredible.

That touch.

A sensation he had never experienced before.

"Li... Li's heading is supposed to be a weakness. How could he lay it off with such a comfortable pass?"

"Just how strong has he become?"

Without hesitation, he controlled the ball and pushed it out wide once more.

Adjusting, pulling the defense apart.

Adjusting, pulling the defense apart.

Adjusting again, pulling again.

Three steps of adjustment.

The moment Everton's defensive line was forced to contract, the Belgian midfielder had already spotted Li Luo's run.

Zone 14.

In an instant, De Bruyne seemed to burst into roaring flames as he swung his arm and leg!

Smack!

He sent a rainbow arc forward without hesitation!

"Wow!"

"Bendtner has pinned down Everton's center-back."

"The ball is dropping into Zone 14."

"Li Luo charges into Zone 14."

"The ball arrives, and so does the man."

"Smash it!"

On the LED screen hanging overhead, stoppage time had entered its final moments.

Tens of thousands of spectators held their breath, staring fixedly at the Chinese teenager near the penalty area.

Everton's brutes were no pushovers.

On their difficult journey to fifth place in the Premier League last season, they had fought bloody battles against many top players!

Barkley and McCarthy

charged at Li Luo from the left and right at the same time.

Li Luo knew everything, but Wolfsburg no longer had time to organize another attack.

At the final moment, they had to fight for an opportunity!

Thump!

His forehead met the dropping ball.

His body hanging in midair, he fortunately avoided the two Everton midfielders' "brute sandwich," his shoulder only being grazed slightly.

They fell to the ground together.

"Oh!"

"The referee has blown his whistle."

"Everton have committed a foul, and Li Luo has won Wolfsburg a free kick from an excellent position!"

Li Luo was fine.

He quickly climbed off Barkley.

He waved to the referee, signaling: "It's fine. Just give the two of them red cards."

The refereeing crew couldn't help but laugh.

Barkley and McCarthy looked awful as they desperately tried to explain themselves.

In the technical area.

Hecking and the assistant coaches were beside themselves with excitement.

At the very end.

Li Luo had won a chance for a last-gasp winner.

Once this free kick was taken, the match would be over.

On the other side.

Martínez remained calm, loudly reminding his players of the key details of defending set pieces.

He even stationed a big man like Lukaku in the box as an obstacle!

The tens of thousands of fans in the stadium grew even more nervous.

Several Wolfsburg players had excellent technique.

And Li Luo looked like the kind of guy who had a devastating free kick in him.

"The final moments."

"Stoppage time has already run over."

"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 broadcast cuts to a close-up of the Italian."

"A resolute gaze."

"He takes a deep breath."

"And begins his run-up."

Unexpectedly...

Caligiuri stepped over the ball and continued charging into the penalty area.

De Bruyne began his run-up.

He knew exactly who to pass the ball to...

Thwack.

The ball flew into Everton's penalty area.

The wall leaped high.

Bendtner's face was squashed into a pig's head by two Everton players.

"The far post."

"Wow!"

The next moment.

The entire stadium gasped.

At the far post, Li Luo seized the perfect moment to make his run, easily shaking off the 180-centimeter McCarthy.

He drove hard off the turf.

And launched himself into the air.

The instant the light football touched his forehead, it transformed into a cannonball!

Thwack!

Whistling.

Spinning.

With fierce, overwhelming force, it smashed irresistibly into Everton's goal.

1:2!!!

"A last-gasp winner!"

"Li Luo's last-gasp winner in the dying moments!"

"Like a great roc rising with the wind, soaring ninety thousand li into the sky!"