Football: Starting from the 05 World Youth Championship

"The first half ends with the two teams tied 1-1."

"The pressure is on Liverpool; they are certainly not happy with this score."

"That's right. Last season, Liverpool were eliminated in the semi-finals because they were defeated by Real Madrid by a large margin at home. This season, when they face Real Madrid again, they certainly don't want to repeat the same mistake. But getting past Real Madrid will be a big test for Liverpool!"

"Let's see what adjustments Benitez will make at halftime!"

There are still quite a few Liverpool fans in China, after all, it is a long-established powerhouse. In addition, Manchester United has been very strong in recent years. Influenced by Manchester United, the derby between Liverpool and the Red Devils attracts a large number of fans every year.

Their miraculous comeback in the 2005 Champions League final garnered them countless fans and attracted a large following for Liverpool.

For Liverpool fans in other parts of the world, this is definitely a time of unconditional support for Liverpool.

But for Chinese Liverpool fans, it's a bit of a dilemma.

Because Chinese Liverpool fans, in addition to supporting Liverpool, generally also support Lin Feng and frequently follow Real Madrid's matches, making them practically Real Madrid fans.

Fans are caught in the middle, torn between their favorite team and their favorite player.

[Let's not dwell on it. The outcome depends on the two teams' abilities. As fans, all we need is to enjoy a great game!]

[Well said! The content of the game is more important than the result. Gerrard has already scored; if Lin Feng can score later, that would be perfect!]

In the second half, Real Madrid took the initiative and began to increase the intensity against Liverpool.

This made Liverpool's players somewhat unaccustomed to the situation. According to the tactics the coach had set up at halftime, they should have continued to besiege Real Madrid in the second half.

Unexpectedly, Real Madrid pressed forward before they even made a move.

Premier League teams are very aggressive in physical confrontations and tackling, and Real Madrid couldn't patiently organize attacks outside the opponent's penalty area like they do in La Liga.

But Mourinho also had a solution. Under his arrangement, Real Madrid's two full-backs frequently pushed forward, using their numerical advantage on the flanks to create breakthroughs in specific areas.

Although the previous attempts at coordination were somewhat rough and did not pose a threat.

But gradually, Real Madrid's attacking momentum on the flanks became unstoppable.

In the 51st minute, Marcelo crossed from the left wing. Lin Feng feinted and stepped over the ball without receiving it. The nearby Liverpool players were all fooled by him. By the time they saw the ball rolling into the penalty area and Real Madrid players were already in position, it was too late to block it.

Although Raul did not expect Lin Feng to make such a move, he did not give up his positioning and rushed into the penalty area immediately.

Hard work pays off, and Raul's efforts were rewarded.

Seeing the ball rolling towards him, the Real Madrid captain decisively volleyed it while diving to his side. The ball bypassed Reina's defense and almost grazed the bottom edge of the crossbar before hitting the net.

The score became 1-2, with Real Madrid taking the lead away from home.

Raul, who scored the goal, scrambled to his feet with a broad smile and made his signature ring-kissing celebration.

Although Raul's performance has declined this season due to his age, and his scoring efficiency is not as good as it was in his peak years.

But when the team needs him, he still steps up!

Raul's goal made Liverpool's already precarious situation even worse.

The aggregate score is now 3-1, with Liverpool trailing by two goals and also by two away goals.

Since they did not score any away goals, there will be no extra time in this match.

They could either score three goals in the next 40 minutes and eliminate Real Madrid.

Either they can only watch Real Madrid eliminate them on their own turf!

Liverpool are on the brink of elimination; they need a miracle, a miracle similar to the one that happened on the night of Istanbul.

[Can the team still advance?]

Many Liverpool fans, upon seeing this score, began to show signs of despair.

But some people still didn't give up and stubbornly chose to believe in the team:
It's okay, we'll win!

Although Real Madrid is very strong, AC Milan back then was no less impressive than Real Madrid.

They were able to come back from a three-goal deficit in the first half and score three goals in a row in the second half.

So it's not impossible for them to create another miracle on their home turf.

So, after a brief silence, the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" rang out again at Anfield.

The saying that fans are the team's 12th man is absolutely true.

The Liverpool players, having conceded another goal, were already somewhat disoriented and their morale was low.

But the fans' chants awakened their fighting spirit, making them realize that they were not fighting alone, and that they had countless fans supporting them.

As a result, the scattered fighting spirit was awakened, and the low morale was revived.

The belief in fighting for the team, for themselves, and for all Liverpool fans around the world began to become unbreakable.

After the restart, Liverpool, riding the momentum, immediately launched a counterattack against Real Madrid.

In the 54th minute, Babel crossed from the left wing, while everyone was focused on Liverpool's striker inside the penalty area.

Gerrard, like a swift cheetah, surged past everyone from outside the penalty area, surged forward to win the header, and scored with a header.

Casillas couldn't make the save, and the score became 2-2!

Real Madrid's lead lasted only a few minutes before Liverpool quickly equalized.

This is Gerrard's 7th Champions League goal this season, currently placing him second in the top scorers list, only behind Messi who has scored eight goals!
"Get back on defense! Get back on defense now! Get ready to kick off!"

After scoring his second goal, Gerrard didn't celebrate. Instead, he rushed into Real Madrid's goal, grabbed the ball, and ran back, shouting for his teammates to come back and defend.

Now is not the time to celebrate; they need two more goals to advance to the next round.

Holy crap, holy crap, another goal!

Gerrard!!! Forever the Red Army Captain!

You can always trust Gerrard!

Just two goals away from eliminating Real Madrid!

Liverpool fans' morale, which had just waned, surged like an inflating balloon after Gerrard scored twice.

[That's it! This is the feeling! The indomitable Red Army of yesteryear is back!]

Gerrard's goal gave Liverpool fans renewed hope, a chance to create a miracle.

"My bad, I didn't mark him properly!" Mascherano, who failed to stop his former teammate, took the blame. Because he had been booked for a foul in the first half, he was a bit hesitant when defending.

Center-back Pepe has a similar problem; he also has a yellow card, so he didn't dare to foul Gerrard when he charged in.

Mourinho stood up from the bench again. Although Real Madrid still had a lead, the opponent's momentum was a bit too intimidating.

If no restrictions are placed and the opponent continues to score like this, the two-goal lead will likely be wiped out very quickly.

Thinking of this, his gaze fell on Thiago Silva on the bench.

"Silva, go warm up, get ready to play!"

Pepe's defensive ability is outstanding, but due to the yellow card he carries, he hesitates and is unable to unleash his full potential in defense.

Real Madrid needs a more secure option to ensure that the defense, the core of Mourinho's tactics, remains sound.

Liverpool fans were somewhat bewildered when they saw Mourinho start the warm-up with a newcomer.

As far as they know, this guy seems to have only played once for Real Madrid, and that was as a substitute.

Would Mourinho dare to field such a complete newcomer on such an important occasion?

Is this just a smokescreen?
However, they were quickly proven wrong when Real Madrid made their first substitution in the 61st minute.

Thiago Silva came on to replace the underperforming Pepe.

Pepe nervously high-fived his teammates as he left the field, not daring to even glance at the head coach standing on the sidelines.

He knew he hadn't performed well in the game and was worried about being scolded by Mourinho.

But what he feared most came to pass. Just as he was about to quietly return to the bench, Mourinho suddenly called out to him:
"Pepe!"

"W-what's wrong, Coach?"

Upon hearing his name, Pepe trembled, stiffened, and turned his head away, unable to meet Mourinho's eyes.

Oh no, I'm definitely going to get yelled at!
He was already in despair.

However, to his surprise, Mourinho didn't scold him; instead, he said to him:

"You haven't greeted me yet, are you unhappy with me?"

Pepe immediately backed down and sheepishly went up to Mourinho for a high-five.

But Mourinho gave him a hug and patted him on the back: "Go and rest, don't think too much. With me here, we can't lose this game!"

Peipei was very touched, but she couldn't help but wonder: Shouldn't you have changed "you" to "Lin" instead of "you"?

If Mourinho knew what he was thinking, he would probably be really angry.

Although Liverpool fans generally underestimated Thiago, he successfully neutralized their striker in his first duel after coming on, and shortly after, he also anticipated Gerrard's pass and made a tackle in a defensive play.

These performances have stirred up Liverpool fans!

[Is this guy really a complete newbie? He seems surprisingly strong!]

[He seems to have played in Europe once before, but was rejected because of his poor performance. How come he's suddenly become so strong?]

Liverpool fans are baffled as to why such a strong player is relegated to the bench at Real Madrid for so long.
Just how incredible is Real Madrid's squad depth!

Compared to the shock of Liverpool fans, neutral fans were more amazed:
[As expected, the players selected by Real Madrid are no ordinary players; if they didn't have some special skills, they wouldn't have caught Real Madrid's eye!]

I heard Real Madrid only spent €1200 million to buy him. If he can continue to play this consistently, then that money was well spent!

[My heart goes out to Milan again. They were the ones who set their sights on Silva first, but Real Madrid snatched him away. It's so unfair!]

AC Milan fans left the live stream grumbling...

Real Madrid capitalized on Silva's interception and immediately launched a counter-attack against their opponents.

In the 60th minute, Lin Feng passed the ball to the wing while dribbling forward.

Ramos delivered a diagonal pass into the penalty area from the right wing, and Raul pounced on the opportunity, attempting to replicate his previous goal.

Unfortunately, his shot went a little too high, the ball grazed the crossbar and went out of bounds, giving Liverpool fans a scare.

Both teams are top-tier teams, and each has an outstanding ability to seize opportunities.

If either side makes even the slightest mistake in defense, the opponent could seize the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.

Benitez was very unhappy with the defense just now and stood on the sidelines roaring loudly.

Real Madrid simply switched to crossing from one wing, but Liverpool players in the penalty area made the same mistake again, allowing Raul, a striker who was not tall enough, to win the ball and take a shot.

The first time is one thing, but the second time is unforgivable.

Liverpool's counter-attack came just as quickly, as Real Madrid had just finished their attack and hadn't had time to retreat.

Liverpool's counter-attack came down the flank!
In the 61st minute, Kuyt made the same move as Lin Feng earlier. Facing a teammate's pass, he deliberately let it pass, and Gerrard, who was following up in the middle, received the ball in front of the penalty area and then unleashed a powerful shot.

Real Madrid fans were on the edge of their seats when they saw Gerrard take the shot.

Liverpool fans, meanwhile, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their team.

Everyone had the same question in their minds: Will this ball go in? Will Gerrard complete his hat-trick?
A yellow figure flew over, like a soaring eagle, and swooped down Gerrard's long-range shot.

Casillas!
Real Madrid's goalkeeper!
He denied Liverpool captain's hat-trick, once again defending Real Madrid's goal!
"Well done, Iker!"

"I would call you a god of goalkeeping!"

"Accept my worship, Saint Cassie!"

Teammates near the penalty area rushed over to give Casillas high-fives and hugs, praising his performance, with Ramos even making a gesture of worship.

Judging solely from Casillas' performance in this match, he certainly deserves the title of 'Saint Casillas'.

If it weren't for his outstanding saves, repeatedly denying the opponent's various tricky shots, the score would be much higher than 2-2 now.

However, on the other hand, as one of the strongest goalkeepers of this era, Casillas' performance was within everyone's expectations.

However, the opposing goalkeeper Reina's performance in this game was no worse than his. Reina also saved many tricky shots, especially Lin Feng's free kicks and Raul's shots in the first half.

As the first and second goalkeepers for the Spanish national team, the two players need to prove their abilities if they want to earn more playing time for the national team, and this direct confrontation is undoubtedly the best stage for that.

But the goalkeeper's performance only provides a safety net for the team; to win the game, it still depends on who can break the deadlock first in attack. (End of Chapter)