Chapter 97 The stage for congratulating poems, the World Cup, is all about this excitement! (Please subscribe)

With two goals behind, the situation on the field finally changed. Greece had to start to press, but their weak offensive line could not support their strong desire to equalize.

Amidst the chaos, the first half ended. The fifteen-minute intermission also passed quickly.

At the beginning of the second half, the Greek team, which had had a 15-minute break, started with a furious rush, trying to give England a hard blow with their high-post press and set-pieces.

Unexpectedly, the iron barrel formation was gone, but it started Xiao Wen's motor. In the 57th minute, he received a long pass from Gerrard in front of the penalty area with lightning speed, ran thirty meters and hit a diagonal shot.

The pass helped Sturridge form a one-man attack.

Sturridge's left foot shot through Karachines' crotch.

3:0.

The love-hate relationship between England and Greece ended in this match. Xiao Wen was immediately replaced by Wilshere by Hodgson in the 62nd minute.

Under the blazing eyes of all the England fans, Xiao Wen slowly walked along the center line to the sidelines. Wilshere squinted his eyes and looked at Xiao Wen who raised his hands to applaud the fans in the stands, and couldn't help but think of something.

Perhaps he started acting childishly because of a little jealousy. Although he and Xiao Wen were both young and famous geniuses, their development paths were quite different.

It's strange to say that although Wilshere had a huge objection to Xiao Wen at first, the goal that fulfilled his dream of scoring a World Cup goal that many famous seniors could not fulfill was assisted by Xiao Wen... Thinking of this

At one point, he couldn't help but stare at Xiao Wen who was running over.

What surprised him slightly was that Xiao Wen's expression at this time was still completely devoid of ecstasy. He quietly high-fived Wilshere and came off the field, as if he was not the pervert who scored two wonderful free kicks in a single game in the World Cup.

Guy, on the contrary, he looks like someone who was benched by the coach after a poor weekend football game in the community.

Rooney was quickly replaced. Seeing Xiao Wen meditating in his seat...

The absolute core of Champions League champion Dortmund is the only key for England to break through the group stage and win this 1/8 finals. Of course Rooney knows that the opponent cannot be like him who has not yet expired but actually does not have the peak strength.

Like the guy, he felt uncomfortable and frustrated with his performance. So he was a little strange, so he lowered his voice and asked: "What's wrong?"

Xiao Wen's face turned red, he looked at Rooney and said calmly: "Thinking about how to play against the Netherlands."

Rooney didn't answer. The topic was a bit out of scope.

In his memory, the best tournament trip before this was undoubtedly the 2004 European Cup.

That year I was 18...

Taking a deep breath, Rooney took another look at the handsome young man next to him, and then realized that 10 years had flowed away from his fingers like fine sand.

The all-powerful Lu Xiaotu in the past has become the current Lu Dapang. Those wonderful goals and the violent breakthroughs that made people's blood boil are so clear in my memory. That summer of 2004,

My 18-year-old self was once so dazzling!

Owen and Beckham are two world-class stars who are at their peak. The midfielder and John Terry on the defense... The only regret is that Ferdinand was suspended due to a doping incident.

England's first opponent in the group stage is France. In the World Cup two years ago, France, as the defending champion, failed to win a game and was eliminated from the group. Despite this, no one dared to underestimate the Gallic Rooster. Some people are prone to perform abnormally in major games.

, other players get more excited when their opponents get stronger. Rooney at that time obviously belonged to the latter group. In his debut in the competition, Rooney showed no stage fright at all and turned the French team's star defense upside down.

In the 71st minute of the game, Rooney received a long pass from Beckham. He picked Thuram near the sideline, like a sharp sword piercing the heart of France. The 32-year-old Thuram tried his best, but he could only watch.

Rooney went all the way away. Sylvester tackled Rooney in the penalty area. Unfortunately, Beckham's penalty kick was saved by Barthez, and England missed an excellent opportunity to expand their advantage.

In the 75th minute, Rooney was replaced by Eriksson. His European Cup debut can be described as perfect. But off the court, he quickly understood the cruelty of football. In stoppage time, Zidane scored twice.

England led for most of the game and could only swallow the bitter pill of defeat.

England's opponent in the second game was Switzerland, the weakest team in the group. After seeing Rooney's wonderful performance in the first game, Eriksson decided to make some adjustments to his playing style. He increased the frequency of Owen's lateral pulls to give Rooney more

Opportunity to hit the goal.

In the 22nd minute of the game, Beckham made a cross from the right side at a 45-degree angle. Irving took the ball at the back point, calmly swung the angle and passed again. Rooney jumped high in the small penalty area and smashed the ball into the door.

This goal allowed him to break the record held by Stojkovic for 20 years. Rooney became the youngest scorer in the European Cup at the age of 18 years, 7 months and 24 days.

Interestingly, four days later in the match between Switzerland and France, Von Lantang broke Rooney's record. Unfortunately, the Swiss teenager did not grow into a superstar like Rooney.

In the 68th minute of the second half, the two golden boys joined forces again. Rooney took Owen's through ball and went to the meeting, facing Butina, he calmly pushed into the lower left corner. The score on the field became 3 to 1.

A few minutes later, Eriksson decided to replace Rooney to prepare for the knockout rounds in advance. The England fans on the sidelines shouted Rooney's name, and some fans even made a gesture of worship. The fans of the Three Lions were already impressed by this

Conquered by the performance of Wonder Boy.

In the quarter-finals, England challenged Portugal at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon.

After the start, Owen scored a difficult goal to help England quickly take the lead.

Rooney also quickly entered the state and passed Carvalho at the top of the arc, causing the latter to foul.

In the 21st minute of the game, Rooney was stepped on while competing with Andrade for the ball in the penalty area. Although he persisted on the court for a few more minutes, it was very difficult for him to even jog and he had no choice but to leave the field. This

This accident greatly affected England's offense. Vassell, who came on as a substitute, was closer to Owen's type, which caused England to lose an important confrontation point in the frontcourt. In the end, the two sides tied 2 to 2, and the Three Lions fell to ten

Number two on.

That year was the highlight of Rooney's national team career. It can be said that he was at his peak when he debuted!

However, in all subsequent competitions, Rooney failed to meet people's initial expectations.

At this time, the young man next to him is also 18 years old and is at the top of his game! How far will he take England this time?

Rooney has subconsciously accepted this reality. The current England is not Rooney's, Gerrard's, or anyone else's team, nor is it even Hodgson's team, but Xiao Wen's team!

When he was young, Rooney's boxing coach always instilled in him this principle——

A strong man must have three basic conditions: a brutal body, a smart mind, and an unconquerable will.

Rooney has always believed that, and he has always believed that he has these three conditions.

Until this World Cup. Until I watched this young man running wildly on the field...

Rooney carefully lifted his aching right leg.

The court was already boring, and the players from both sides, who had previously fought in one place, began to kill time.

In the end, the score of 3:0 put an end to the Greeks' dream.

Amidst the roars of the English fans in the audience, the red-eyed England players rushed madly to the stands where the fans were standing after the whistle blew, and got entangled with these English fans who had come from afar.

Xiao Wen slowly walked towards the Greek team's half.

Papastathopoulos stood there with tears streaming down his face.

"We just lost to you." A helpless blush appeared on Papastathopoulos' tired face. He raised his head and stared at Xiao Wen fiercely, pretending to be angry and said: "Quickly give me a World Cup medal.

."

Xiao Wen was startled for a moment and immediately understood what Papastathopoulos meant. In fact, every team has several circles, and each circle has its own lifestyle. He may not be able to understand it, but Papastathopoulos

Stathopoulos always gives 100% when he is on the court. Therefore, the relationship between the two cannot be said to be close, but they are definitely people who are willing to give each other's back on the court.

He narrowed his eyes and replied simply: "I'll take it back and let you touch it when the time comes."

Papastathopoulos and Xiao Wen hugged each other tightly and patted the little brothers in the team who were leading the charge. His face gradually returned to calmness, and soon there was a flash in his eyes.

There was a light of conviction and regret, and he said slowly: "Come on... Xiao, no one can stop you, go and get that damn trophy!"

Xiao Wen didn't reply, he nodded. Then he said goodbye to Papastathopoulos.

Looking at Xiao Wen's back walking towards the tunnel, Papastathopoulos was silent. Somehow, he suddenly realized that he... had never understood the young man in front of him.

…

In the 1/8 finals of the World Cup, after England easily defeated Greece 3;0, the fighting began completely.

At the Mineirao Arena, the host Brazil faced its South American rival Chile. The qualifying process for both teams in the group stage was relatively easy. Brazil had 2 wins and 1 draw and accumulated 7 points. It relied on the goal difference advantage to beat Mexico and ranked first in Group A. Chile had 2 wins and 6 points.

Ranked second in Group B. But this game is not easy for the Brazilian team.

In the 2nd minute of the game, Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho knocked down Dias fiercely from behind and committed consecutive fouls in a short period of time. Referee Webber gave a verbal warning to the old Premier League acquaintance, asking him to pay attention to his fighting movements.

However, one minute later, the Chilean showed the host what South American football is called - the tough Medel made a retaliatory foul, causing Neymar to fall to the ground hard!

However, Neymar reacted quickly on the court. In the 17th minute, he took a corner kick from the left, captain Thiago Silva touched it, and David Luiz leaned against Chilean central defender Jara at the back post.

Used his left thigh to pad the ball into the goal, 1-0, the host took the lead to break the deadlock.

In the 28th minute, Vidal knocked down Neymar again during the midfield scramble and was given a yellow card.

The competition is getting more intense.

In the 32nd minute, Marcelo threw a throw-in from the backcourt to Hulk. The latter's return was too weak and was intercepted by Chilean forward Vargas and then passed the ball low. Sanchez stopped the ball in front of the goal and made a slight adjustment.

Before Silva fell to the ground and blocked it, he scored with a low shot from the far corner with his right foot. 1-1, Chile tied the score tenaciously!

From then on, the two teams were more intense but less threatening. After 90 minutes, it was still 1:1. In the last minute of overtime, Chilean Pinilla's cold shot in the penalty area hit the crossbar and the host country escaped.

In the penalty shootout, Cesar saved 2 points in a row, Jara hit the penalty post, and Chile was eliminated.

Brazil's top player was repeatedly cut down by the Chileans in this battle, but his outstanding technical ability made all Brazilian fans excited. Brazil has not produced such an exciting talent for several years. All Brazilians are eager to try, this World Cup, there is something to play

!

Next, it was also the American Civil War, Colombia played against the dark horse Costa Rica. Two people made great achievements in this game. One was Costa Rica goalkeeper Navas, who made 13 saves in the game, including five divine saves! He alone became an iron wall!

However, what is even more amazing is Colombia’s 10 player J-Rodriguez!

In fact, in the eyes of many people, Ronaldo is currently regarded as the most "midfield core" star - although he is not a new star. When Monaco bought him, his worth had reached 45 million euros. This year

He played so well in the World Cup. If the rumored tycoons Manchester City and La Liga are willing to pay, he should not be able to escape 80 million. An important factor in doubling his worth is that in the 55th minute of this game, Ronaldo

He received a header from his teammate in front of the penalty area, stopped his chest, and without making any other adjustments, he turned sideways and volleyed with his left foot! The ball went straight into the corner, and Navas, who was already amazing in this game, flew to the goal post.

Even at the end, it can't stop the football from rushing into the goal!

The same handsome appearance, the same amazing skills

After this game, Ronaldo, Neymar, and Xiao Wen once again raised the topic of the first day of the knockout rounds. In contrast, Atletico Madrid announced that it was about to reach an agreement with Levante to buy Navas for 10 million.
To be continued...