bullyxtreme Chapter 48 The Blue and White Storm at Dawn
Chapter 48 The Blue and White Storm at Dawn
2:30 a.m.
In Jian Jingli's living room, soft lighting illuminated every corner.
Jian Jingli and Ye Fan were sitting on the sofa, with various braised dishes in front of them—braised chicken wings, braised beef, and braised tofu, their aroma filling the air and making one's mouth water.
Ye Fan was adding ice to the glass, while Jian Jingli skillfully mashed mint leaves. The refreshing scent of lime mixed with the smell of alcohol filled the air.
The two ate and chatted, and before they knew it, it was 3 a.m.
"China Media Group! China Media Group! Good evening, viewers!"
As the CCTV commentator's resounding voice rang out, the camera switched to the green football field.
Messi led the Argentine team onto the field, their blue and white striped jerseys standing out under the spotlight.
The 2014 Brazil World Cup match between Argentina and Iran has officially begun.
Every time this familiar opening line is played, Ye Fan feels a chill run down his spine.
How many Chinese people have dreamed in the dead of night—what would it be like if one day our national team could stand on the World Cup stage?
Imagine this scene: the national football team's special plane, returning in triumph, soars through the clouds, and suddenly, a deep male voice comes over the radio:
"You have entered Chinese airspace. Our J-20 fighter jet formation is on duty to escort you throughout your journey! Thank you for your heroic performance at the World Cup. 14 billion fans are waiting for your return. Welcome home, heroes of the Republic!"
Thinking of this, Ye Fan felt a tightness in his chest.
Thinking about how the national football team was getting worse and worse in his previous life, Ye Fan figured if it continued to develop like this in this life, he probably wouldn't live to see it again.
Ye Fan was lost in thought about his future football plans. Once his group had grown, he would also develop youth football training in China.
Jian Jingli suddenly nudged him lightly with her elbow:
"What are you thinking about? The competition has already started!"
She pointed to the screen, where Messi was skillfully dribbling in the attacking third.
Ye Fan snapped out of his reverie, his gaze still fixed on the green field:
"I'm wondering what it would be like if the Chinese national football team actually made it to the World Cup someday."
Chien Ching-li replied very seriously:
"The scene will be even more spectacular than in 02! I can already imagine the streets and alleys packed with cheering fans, and red flags flying all over the city..."
Ye Fan looked at her radiant profile and couldn't help but smile.
He knew better than anyone that the passion of Chinese fans had never waned—even in the days when the national football team suffered repeated defeats in his previous life, countless people still watched in front of their screens during every important match.
This dedication and passion have never changed because of achievements.
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From the start of the match, Argentina displayed a powerful offensive, with Messi, Aguero, and Di Maria taking turns attacking the Iranian defense.
But to be fair, Iran's defense was really good in this match.
They held on for 90 minutes to keep a clean sheet, but unfortunately, Messi scored the winning goal in stoppage time.
Ye Fan clearly remembered watching the game with Zhao Mingzhe in his previous life. The whole game was very tense. Iran's defense was excellent, and Argentina's attack failed to break through the opponent's defense throughout the game.
Until stoppage time, with the commentator's comment:
"Look at this time, a shot, goal! Goal! The game has entered stoppage time, Messi scores! Messi scores! King Messi."
The entire stadium erupted in cheers, and Ye Fan and Zhao Mingzhe jumped excitedly onto the table.
The Iranians' 90-minute effort came to naught.
...........
The two watched the game while enthusiastically discussing tactics.
Ye Fan deliberately avoided making any "prophetic" predictions, and instead analyzed the situation from the perspective of a seasoned football fan:
"Iran's defense is very solid, they'll probably park the bus, it'll be up to our 'Little Flea' and Aguero to break through. Di Maria's breakthroughs in midfield are crucial."
"That's right!"
Jian Jingli nodded vigorously and opened another can of beer:
"The Iranians are tall and have a great header; our defenders Garay and F. Fernandez need to hold them off. Sigh, if only Higuain could find his form again..."
Her tone carried the worry and expectation typical of veteran fans.
As expected before the match.
Iran deployed an extremely tight 5-4-1 defensive formation, creating an impenetrable wall around the penalty area.
Argentina dominated possession and had a clear advantage on the field. Messi, Di Maria, and Aguero constantly made runs and cuts in the attacking third, trying to find gaps in the defense.
"Pass it to Messi!"
Jian Jingli leaned forward, clenching her fists nervously, forgetting to eat the half-eaten piece of dried bean curd in her hand.
"The right side is open! Lavezzi has made his run!"
Ye Fan was also watching intently and couldn't help but shout out.
"Sigh! Di Maria rushed that ball; he should have played more cautiously..."
Seeing a golden opportunity squandered by a wild shot, Jian Jingli slapped his thigh in frustration.
Ye Fan stared at Iranian goalkeeper Hagiji's heroic save on the screen and couldn't help but admire him:
"Iranian goalkeeper Hajiji was phenomenal today, that save!"
The first half ended with Argentina's relentless attacks and Iran's tenacious resistance, the score remaining 0-0. Both players stretched simultaneously, their necks cracking slightly.
"I'll go get something to eat."
As Jian Jingli spoke, she walked towards the kitchen and soon brought out a plate of chilled watermelon, with water droplets still clinging to the bright red flesh.
She reheated the cooled braised food, and the aroma filled the air once again.
Ye Fan handed her a slice of chilled watermelon and said:
"Don't rush, don't rush. Iran is exhausted and will definitely not be able to hold on in the second half. It depends on whether we can seize the opportunity. Messi hasn't even exerted his full strength yet."
The second half began with the teams switching sides, and the game remained close.
Argentina's offensive was relentless, but Iran's counterattacks also created several dangerous situations, startling Jian Jingli so much that she clutched her chest.
"That scared me to death! Xiao Fan, you were right, they fought back really fast!"
She instinctively grabbed Ye Fan's arm, her dependence on him was obvious!
Time ticked by, and the game entered its final ten minutes.
The score remains 0-0.
The air in the living room seemed to freeze, with only the slightly anxious voice of the commentator on TV and the two people's heavy breathing remaining.
The braised food on the coffee table had long since cooled down and no one touched it anymore.
Jian Jingli's eyes were filled with anxiety and resentment, and she unconsciously muttered to herself:
"We can't let it end in a draw...we can't let it end in a draw...an opportunity! We need to create an opportunity!"
Ye Fan's heart was in his throat. Although he knew the course of history, he was still extremely nervous as he waited for that moment.
He stared at the familiar figure on the field—Messi, who was currently receiving the ball on the right wing, surrounded by three Iranian players.
"Look at Messi!"
Ye Fan let out a low cry, his body tensing up.
With a deft flick of his left foot, he created a tiny opening amidst the double-team of two defenders! Everyone expected him to continue his breakthrough or pass, and even Iranian goalkeeper Hajiji instinctively moved half a step toward the near post.
However, the next second, while Messi's body was still at a slight tilt, his ankle, known as the "golden left foot," suddenly exerted force!
The ball traced a beautiful yet deadly arc, moving at an astonishing speed, almost skimming the bottom edge of the crossbar, heading straight for the corner! Despite Iranian goalkeeper Hajiji's desperate dive, his fingertips seemingly brushing the ball, he was still unable to stop this world-class strike!
"ah--!!!!!!"
As if struck by lightning, Jian Jingli sprang up from the sofa, overwhelmed by immense joy.
She instinctively turned around, excitedly hugging Ye Fan tightly, jumping and shouting:
"Goal! Messi! Xiao Fan! Goal! A game-winning goal! A game-winning goal!!!"
Ye Fan was also stunned by the sudden, joyful embrace, but then a great joy and a sense of relief, as if he had known, swept over him.
He hugged Jian Jingli tightly and shouted excitedly:
"Beautiful! A world-class goal! Messi!"
This moment.
The passion of football, all the complex emotions, converged and erupted in this early morning game-winning goal.
outside the window.
The city remained silent, but their world had just experienced a perfect blue and white storm.