Awakening the Messi template, Florentino Pérez begs me to join Real Madrid

Inside the CCTV studio, before overtime.

"Football shouldn't be like this."

"As's action completely went beyond the bounds of sportsmanship. It was a vicious foul that could have ended a young player's career, and I believe we will definitely appeal to the AFC for further punishment after the match."

Huang Jianxiang took a deep breath: "Now we can only pray that Wu Shi is alright. On the field, the game must continue. It's 1-1, and the two sides are about to go into overtime."

The scene cuts back to the stadium.

There were no new personnel changes for either side in overtime.

Zhan Jundao,

"The national youth team has used all three substitutions: in the 55th minute, they replaced the exhausted midfielder; in the 65th minute, they replaced the cramped full-back; and in the 90th minute, they replaced the injured Wu Shi. But we now have 11 players on the field, while Yi Jianlian is playing with ten."

Huang Jianxiang nodded:

"Coach Yi Jianlian used his last two substitutions – in the 93rd and 95th minutes of second-half stoppage time – to replace two forwards with two defensive players. His intention was clear: to drag the game into extra time, and he succeeded."

Zhan Jun analyzed, "Coach Yi's strategy is clear: drag the game into extra time, hold firm in the final 30 minutes, and then look for counter-attack opportunities. If it goes to penalties, they'll have a psychological advantage, and the national youth team will be in danger. But how will Coach Li respond?"

Before overtime

Old Li called the players to the sidelines and had them form a circle.

"Listen up, everyone!" His voice was hoarse but powerful. "They want to stall? We won't let them stall!"

He pointed to the tactics board: "In the first half of extra time, we need to seize the initiative from the start! Chen Liang, you move up front to form a two-striker formation with Wu Lei. Midfielders, the three of you push forward! Don't worry about what's behind them; they're down two men, so their counter-attacks won't be effective!"

Wu Lei wiped the sweat from his face: "Coach, penalty..."

He looked at Wu Lei: "Lei, you're the captain and the core player on the field right now. I want you to get the ball more and make more breakthroughs. Their defenders all have yellow cards, so they won't dare to make any big tackles. Use that to your advantage!"

Wu Lei nodded emphatically.

"And another thing," Old Li scanned the entire team, "Wu Shi is in the hospital right now. Why is he lying there? Because of that scoring opportunity! We can't let him get injured for nothing! We must win this game!"

"Take it down!" the team members growled.

The referee blew the whistle, and overtime began.

"Overtime has begun!"

Huang Jianxiang raised his voice, "The national youth team kicks off... Look at this formation! Coach Li has made a bold adjustment! He changed the formation to 3-1-4-2! What's the intention behind this, Coach Zhan?"

Zhan Jun quickly replied:

"This is a do-or-die situation! The national youth team currently has two forwards, Wu Lei and Chen Liang, plus two attacking midfielders, with multiple attacking players deployed in the front! As for Yi Jianlian's side, just as we analyzed before the match, they are currently playing a 5-3-1 defensive formation!"

In the 91st minute, the Chinese U23 team intercepted the ball in midfield and quickly passed it forward. Wu Lei received the ball at the edge of the penalty area, and facing three defenders, he created space and unleashed a long-range shot!

The ball is slightly above the crossbeam.

"Wu Lei! He's a real threat!" Huang Jianxiang shouted.

"From the start of overtime, the Chinese youth team displayed a strong attacking desire!"

In the 93rd minute, the Chinese U23 team launched another attack. Chen Liang broke through on the right wing and crossed the ball. Wu Lei attracted the defense at the near post, and the midfielder who made a run at the far post headed the ball towards goal—but it was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper!

Corner kick.

The ball was kicked out, and the Yi Jianlian defender cleared it but not far enough. Another long-range shot came from outside the box—it hit a defender and went out of bounds.

Another corner kick.

"Continuous attacks! The national youth team completely dominated their opponents!" Zhan Jun said. "Yi Jianlian's defense is shaky!"

On the sidelines, Coach Yi was so anxious that he jumped up and down, loudly instructing his players to tighten their defense.

Old Li walked to the sidelines and made a gesture towards Wu Lei—a thumbs-down gesture, tapping three times.

This was the pre-match code: attack from behind, the third plan.

Wu Lei nodded.

In the 95th minute, the decisive moment arrived.

The Chinese youth team intercepted the ball in their own half. Instead of launching a long ball forward, the center-back opted for a precise long pass to find Wu Lei, who had dropped back to receive the pass.

Wu Lei received the ball with his back to goal, and Yi Jianlian immediately closed in as a defensive midfielder.

Wu Lei didn't choose to shield the ball or pass it back. He gently tapped the ball with the outside of his right foot while turning—and then dribbled past the defender!

"A beautiful turn!" Huang Jianxiang exclaimed.

Wu Lei shook off his defender and dribbled forward. The Yi Jianlian defense retreated as a whole.

The center-backs retreated cautiously, hesitant to press forward, as almost every member of their defense had a yellow card.

Wu Lei dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty area, slowed down, and looked up to observe.

Suhail thought he was about to pass the ball or shoot, and instinctively stepped forward half a step to block him.

However, after seeing the opponent's move, Wu Lei poked the ball forward with his right foot and overtook the opponent from the side!

"An opportunity!" Zhan Jun shouted.

In a moment of desperation, Suhail reached out and grabbed Wu Lei's jersey!

Wu Lei lost his balance and fell in the penalty area!

"Penalty!!"

Huang Jianxiang almost stood up from his chair.

"The referee points to the penalty spot! Yellow card! Suhail receives his second yellow card and is sent off!"

The replay clearly shows that Suhail made a clear pulling motion inside the penalty area, and Wu Lei fell during the challenge.

UAE players surrounded the referee to appeal, but the referee remained adamant.

Suhail lowered his head and slowly walked to the sidelines. Only nine players remained on the field.

"Now Yi Jianlian only has nine players on the field!" Huang Jianxiang exclaimed excitedly. "And they've used all their substitutions, playing with two fewer players! The national youth team has been awarded a penalty! This is a golden opportunity!"

Zhan Jun added, "Furthermore, Suhair is the core of Yi Jianlian's defense, and his departure is a devastating blow to Yi Jianlian's defensive system!"

On the field, Wu Lei got up from the ground and brushed the grass off his body. He walked to the penalty spot and picked up the football.

Without hesitation, without discussion. He was the captain, the first penalty taker; this penalty had to be taken by him.

UAE goalkeeper Kasimi moved left and right on the goal line, trying to interfere with Wu Lei.

Wu Lei placed the ball on the penalty spot and took five steps back.

The whole place fell silent.

The referee whistle blows.

Wu Lei takes a run-up, three steps, and then shoots into the bottom left corner!

Kasimi misjudged the direction and lunged to the right.

The ball went into the net!

2 is better than 1!

"Goal!!!" Huang Jianxiang's roar echoed through the sky. "Wu Lei! 6th minute of extra time! The national youth team is leading again! 2-1! Yi Jianlian, playing with nine men, is now facing a desperate situation!"

Wu Lei didn't celebrate wildly. He simply ran to the corner flag, faced the away team's stands, and lifted his jersey—underneath was a white vest with the words "Stone, this goal is your doing" written on it in black marker.

In the stands, the Chinese youth team fans erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Wu Lei dedicated this goal to the injured Wu Shi! He knew he would score in extra time, so he wrote those words on his vest beforehand," Zhan Jun said emotionally. "That's football, that's teamwork!"

Hospital, emergency room

Wu Shi lay on a mobile hospital bed, his left leg already immobilized, waiting for an X-ray.

He frowned from time to time.

"Boy, don't be too nervous."

A beautiful foreign nurse next to him comforted him in English, and Wu Shi managed a weak smile.

"The X-ray room is ready." The doctor pushed the door open and entered. Wu Shi was wheeled into the X-ray room.

Second half of overtime

"The two sides switch sides, and the second half of extra time begins!" Huang Jianxiang said. "Now Yi Jianlian only has nine players on the field, and he has no substitutions. Furthermore, the Chinese youth team is leading by one goal, so they have to attack and take a point from the Chinese youth team."

In the footage, the Chinese youth team almost pinned Yi Jianlian down in his own half and launched a sustained attack.

In the 106th minute, Wu Lei received the ball on the left side of the penalty area, dribbled past several defenders, and crossed the ball. Chen Liang headed the ball towards the goal, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.

In the 108th minute, the Chinese youth team won a free kick in the attacking third. The initial shot hit the wall, and the follow-up shot was blocked out of bounds.

Corner kick.

The ball was driven out, flicked on at the near post, and Wu Lei volleyed it at the far post—but it hit a defender and bounced out.

"A siege! It's a complete half-court offensive and defensive drill!" Huang Jianxiang said. "Yi Jianlian's players are exhausted; they're defending entirely out of sheer willpower."

In the 115th minute, the game-winning goal arrived.

The Chinese youth team passed the ball around in midfield, exhausting the players who had little energy left. Suddenly, the defensive midfielder delivered a through ball, finding the attacking midfielder who was making a run forward.

This is Wang Zhuofeng, an attacking midfielder who came on as a substitute for Wu Shi.

Full of energy, he accelerated with the ball, and the defender, turning a fraction of a second too late and nearly exhausted, could no longer keep up.

"Bang!" Shot.

3 is better than 1!

"Goal!!!! Wang Zhuofeng! 115th minute of extra time! A powerful shot! Killed the game! The suspense is over!" Huang Jianxiang excitedly slammed his fist on the table.

Zhan Jun was equally excited: "3-1! The national youth team has secured the victory! Yi Jianlian has no chance! They only have 9 players on the field, no substitutions, and no counter-attacking ability! The game is over!"

On the field, the Chinese youth team players celebrated wildly. Wang Zhuofeng was pinned down by his teammates, Wu Lei roared to the sky, and Chen Liang rushed towards the away team's stands, lifting his jersey—also revealing a vest that read, "Stone, we are with you."

Omar slumped onto the grass.

Their coach stood on the sidelines, expressionless. His pre-match boasts now seemed like the most ironic background noise.

"Is there any need to push yourself too hard?"

Huang Jianxiang, in the commentary booth, also started to let loose and excitedly shouted:

"You should focus all your energy on taking on tough opponents, while our national youth team, full of iron will, will crush your teeth!!!"

"I urge the Thunder God to rouse himself once more! Where do you think you're going, you demons and monsters?!"