Although Don called for Capello not to worry about George at all. Wood's fitness problems. However, Capello still kept Wood on the bench in the third game against Brazil.

He really didn't have to worry about Wood's fitness, he was worried about Wood's yellow card – a yellow card that he had "earned" for his defensive toughness in the game against South Korea. In the match against Brazil, Capello feared another yellow card for Wood, leading to a suspension. That would be a big loss for England.

From this point of view, although he is still sitting on the bench, his status in Capello's heart is completely different.

Both sides tacitly sent non-main players, and in the end, England lost to Brazil by one goal and finished second in the group.

※※※ and George. Wood's tortuous journey to the World Cup for the national team was different, and his teammate, who was also Donn's focus on David Wood. Bentley was much smoother. At the moment in this national team, he has no opponents on the right flank and is a player that Capello relies on a lot.

All three group stage games were started, and the performance was remarkable.

This strengthened Donn's confidence in wanting to buy him. However, due to Bentley's excellent performance, Donn is also mentally prepared to face competition from other teams.

Donn is a coach who prefers to play wide, and his recruitment plans for the new season are all from midfield, almost all of them are attacking players. The left and right wing-backs need to be replenished, and there needs to be a strong new signing up front.

Kicic and Abang Lajo are both types of players — one area is particularly strong, but lacks the final word. Kidic's height and headers, as well as a good sense of passing the ball to his teammates, are the team's offensive bridgehead. Abang Laho's speed is a sharp weapon for quick counter-attacks. Still, Donn needs a truly pure goalscorer, like Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Karim Benzema, France's leading goalscorer, fits the bill now, but Don knows it's almost impossible to get his hands on it. Not to mention the many big team contenders, satisfying the appetite of Aulas's shameless greedy is not something the Forest team can do at the moment.

As for Huntelaar, it has already been bought by Real Madrid...... Don felt that deciding who to buy was a headache for him, more than studying tactics and thinking about how to defeat his opponent.

After all, this is something that cannot be reversed once the money is paid, in case it costs millions of dollars to buy back a waste, the pressure is not a little bit.

Don decided to keep watching.

※※※England's opponent after qualifying from the group is the United States, and this is the second meeting between the two sides in the World Cup after England lost 0-1 to the United States in the 1950 World Cup. Sixty years ago, after the first meeting between the two teams, the United States defeated England 1-0, England's editors couldn't believe the newspaper, so they made a "perfect" solution after a very "deliberate" review - they thought that the front-line reporters had made a mistake in writing a "1" before England's score, so with a stroke of the pen, the news of England's 10-1 victory over the United States appeared in the newspaper. It has become a famous joke in the history of the World Cup.

Sixty years later, the English are still arrogant, but they don't make the same mistakes they made 60 years ago – a mistake made almost impossible to repeat by live broadcasts.

Wood returned to the field and got a chance to start. Capello gave him a clear mission - to defend in midfield and cut off the link between the US midfield and the striker.

George. Well done Wood. The midfield was under his control throughout the game, and the U.S. team could only rely on long passes to attack.

England scored one goal in each half to eliminate the United States 2-0 and reach the quarter-finals.

George. Wood started the game and played the full 90 minutes, making 20 tackles in the game, 16 successful tackles, 11 tackles, 9 successful attempts, 5 fouls, 6 violations, 51 successful passes, 40 successful shots, one shot on goal with no shots on target and one assist.

It was his technical statistic, and he was the second-highest scorer in the team after the game, behind only Steven Gerrard, who scored two goals alone.

Commentators around the world have mentioned his name again and again during the game, calling him a pillar of England's midfield. With him, England's midfield is rock-solid. England's ability to defeat the United States so easily is inseparable from his play. If it hadn't been for Gerrard's two goals, the man of the match would have been awarded to George again. Wood too.

In fact, for most players, the World Cup is an excellent stage to get themselves out into the world. Although George. Wood has long been a well-known player in England and has had an impeccable club career, but has been considered a non-world-class star due to his lack of international performance. Others feel that Wood can only play well at the club because there is a manager in the club who trusts him and is willing to treat him as a central manager. Donne, when he arrives at the national team, he will stop cooking, and his strength is still not enough. It's like the Italian "golden boy" Del. Like Piero, no matter how well the club plays, he will not be recognized by most people if he does not shine in the national team.

The club and the national team are the two legs of a professional footballer, and any leg missing is just a cripple.

In this World Cup, although he came off the bench in the group, he became Capello's most relied on player in the knockout stage.

After the match against the United States, Capello publicly praised George by name at a press conference. Wood's performance: "He's reassuring to me, he knows what he has to do. He looked very orderly in our midfield. ”

Many experts also said after the game that although in the star-studded England midfield, George. Wood looks the most unremarkable, but he's definitely the most irreplaceable. Whether it's Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Bentley, Joe. Cole...... Anyone else, they can find a replacement, but George. Wood, both in character and function, is irreplaceable.

If England want to go far in this World Cup, such a diligent midfielder who absolutely implements the manager's tactical intentions is definitely a key figure.

If you want to win a major cup competition, to put it bluntly, you still have to rely on defense...... There's George. Wood and no George. Wood's England midfield defence is exactly two notches. Capello is not a fool, he is well aware of this. George. Wood is synonymous with "defense".

Despite England's next match against European champions Spain, Done boldly predicted in his column that England would at least reach the last four. I wonder if we can reach the World Cup final for the second time since 1966. His confidence stems from Capello's reuse of George. Wood, and he's also a very defensive-minded coach.

Before the match against England, the main midfielder of the Spanish team, Cesc Fabregas, who played in the Premier League for a long time and knows the most about English football, was interviewed by reporters, and when asked "who is the most dangerous person in England", he said without hesitation: "George. Wood. ”

The captain of Arsenal and the heart of the Spanish national team's midfield will never forget the FA Youth Cup he played in England. Born out of nowhere. Wood was like a basin of cold water poured on the head of a genius who had become famous at a young age. Until now, in the English Premier League, Cesc Fabregas has struggled against Wood.

Spain coach boss Bosque agrees. He said: "Unless we're going to play the English tradition of long balls, we can't get around George. Wood. ”

Yes, Spanish football is very much about midfield control. Take a look at Spain's starting midfielders in the group stage – Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Harpy. Alonso and David. Silva, full of attacking power, is all a master of good technique, good at handling the ball and controlling the tempo. The midfield line-up shone in the group stage, with Spain winning all three games to qualify from the group with 11 goals, showing their attacking prowess, while all 11 goals were scored by the midfielders, seven of which were directly assisted by the four midfield starters.

After only two games in the group stage, Spain's midfield duo is already famous, with almost everyone wearing the hat of "art football" on their heads. The Spanish team played football that was pleasing to the eye and very spectatory, and the attack was fluid and natural. Fans love to see them keep the ball at their feet, play with their opponents through back-and-forth passes and a series of runs, and then score before they know it, which is an art.

So with these three group games, Spain has become the favorite to win the championship. The media commented that the power of the European championship is still there, and this is an opponent that no team dares to underestimate.

But for England manager Fabio Capello, he sees a chance to win – Spain have scored 13 goals in four games so far, and the second most attacking force of all participating teams, behind Argentina with the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Tevez. But they conceded seven goals. Casillas' ability is undeniable, and the reason they concede so many goals is simply because they don't pay attention to defence, or their own defensive level is limited...... For such a team that pays attention to midfield control and advanced layer by layer, while the full-backs provide frequent assists, and the attack is very layered and good-looking, what is more of a headache for them than encountering a tough midfield sniper?

Against Spain, Capello put on a defensive posture, replacing Bentley with defensive midfielder Hargreaves, and setting up a staggering back three in the middle of the midfield - George. Wood is centered, Gareth. Barry and Hargreaves are one left and one right. Attackingly, only one Steven Gerrard was left in the middle of the pitch.

"Obviously, I'm going to defend." Fabio Capello explained his line-up in his pre-match press conference. "Against Spain, trying not to concede a goal first is the key to winning the game."

Donn agreed: "If you want me to do it too!" Defence is the foundation of a winning game, and the side that concedes first in such an important game can easily fall into chaos and give the opponent a chance to take advantage of it. I don't need a 7:6 win game, I just need 1:0! ”

The Spanish media regarded Capello's decision as a plea for mercy and a show of weakness, and they triumphantly announced: "The Spanish team's attack power is unparalleled in the world, and the gold medal coach Capello is quite jealous." ”

"None of the three midfielders can stop us from scoring!"

"The arrangement of the three backs is simply outrageous! This is the regression of football, the poison of utilitarian football! This World Cup is destined to belong to Spain and belong to artistic football! ”

…… But they all forgot that Spain was able to win Euro 2008 for a very, very important reason - Senna, a full-time defensive midfielder who was in excellent form at the time, and it was his tireless running and interceptions from behind that allowed Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas to be able to organize attacks with confidence.

In this World Cup, due to the rapid decline of age, Senna did not even enter the final list. Bosque didn't even bring a defensive midfielder to South Africa, is it the old coach Toda? No, it's just the natural name of the Spanish nation, who from the bottom of their hearts worship offense and art, and from the bottom of their hearts despise defense and utilitarianism.

※※※The race was held in Johannesburg, the capital of South Africa.

The direct collision of artistic football and utilitarian football, the strong dialogue between the favorite Spain and England attracted the attention of the world, many reporters gathered at the scene, hundreds of TV media around the world broadcast live, the broadcast seats were full, and the stands were already crowded, everyone was looking forward to this quarter-final like Mars hitting the earth.

"Who do you fancie, Tony?" Newcastle manager Allan Brown, who was also a guest commentator before the game, was also a guest commentator. Shearer asked his peers. At this time, both of them temporarily put down their roles as head coaches, and the cooperation was equivalent to fast.

"England." Donn raised his hand and said, "If Capello still plays Spain with the same set as in the group stage, I am optimistic about Spain." ”

"Three backs...... I really didn't expect that. "Alain. Alan Shearer is a striker and has a reputation for attacking at Newcastle.

Don smiled happily, and now he felt like a "fellow traveler" when he saw Capello. "I heard before the game how the Spaniards reacted to it and I bet the arrogant Spaniards would have broken their glasses after half-time. Three-back, Xavi they don't want to play any more. Ha ha! 'He's really looking forward to the game for a while.

※※※After the official start of the competition, everything was as Don said. Before half the game, the Spaniard was already looking very restless.

George. Wood, Hargreaves, Gareth. Bari's three midfielders were stacked in front of the back line, making it impossible for Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas to pass through. Later, let alone passing, even controlling the ball at the foot became a very luxurious thing.

Capello's task for the back three is simple and clear – no matter what means, don't let the Spanish midfielder get the ball comfortably and organise the attack. So fouls, small movements, and the rational use of the body's collision...... Spanish artists have suffered a lot. In the group stage, the graceful and dashing artists looked embarrassed by England's tough pressing.

Xavi and Andres Iniesta are largely submerged in England's muscular forest, with only Cesc Fabregas, who has been in the Premier League for a long time, slightly better, and is not completely inferior in terms of physical confrontation. Later, the Spanish team basically handed over the ball to Cesc Fabregas, and Fabregas, who was originally placed on the right side, slowly moved to the middle by himself. Wood whirled.

The ensuing match was a stalemate. England defended wholeheartedly and could not counterattack, while Spain attacked without a goal.

The first half was 1-1.

In the second half, Bosque made a change and used Diego. Capel (diego_capel) replaced Andres Iniesta, officially moved Cesc Fabregas to the middle, formed a central middle with Xavi, and handed Silva and Cazorla to break through on the wing, intending to open the gap from the wing.

His change made a slight difference. However, Capello soon followed. Increase the defensive area of the three midfielders. The middle lane is mainly reserved for George. Wood, Gerrard helped deal with Cesc Fabregas and Xavi's alternation.

Capello had no intention of fighting back.

The game was dull and disappointing to viewers around the world who were waiting in front of their televisions. Spain is the most proud, the most popular offensive football and artistic football due to the opponent's three-back midfield configuration can not be played at all, England also shrunk in the backfield without attacking **, what else is there to watch in such a game?

But Donn watched with relish, and he liked to watch Spain's attack be blocked by the configuration of the back three. Wood defended one more offense, and he applauded in his heart.

Until the end of the ninety minutes, the score was still 0:0. The two sides went into extra time after a short break. It was the first extra-time game of this World Cup.

There are already commentators criticizing Capello's conservatism, but Capello does not hear such criticism, and even if he does, he will continue to go his own way. Pleasing the crowd is too small compared to winning the game.

In the first half of extra time, England suddenly attacked once, and three consecutive waves of attacks almost broke the gate guarded by Casillas, which also shocked the Spanish fans into a cold sweat. Tony. Done's antidote to this is that it must have been Capello himself, because if the game dragged into a penalty shoot-out, it would not really do England any good.

The impact of Germany's penalty elimination at the World Cup by Portugal must have continued to this day, not to mention the goalkeeper ring. Hart is more than a notch behind Casillas.

Therefore, Capello hopes to take advantage of the decline in the physical strength of the Spanish players in extra time to let England, who had been in the back for 90 minutes, launch a surprise attack and win the game. They almost succeeded - if it weren't for the re-apparition of "St. Igor".

In the second half of extra-time, England's attack was waning and Spain regained the initiative, seizing the last minute to decide the winner in the regular season, even if Casillas was standing behind them, and no one wanted to play a penalty shoot-out. Bosque, on the other hand, was already thinking about the order of players in the penalty shoot-out for a while.

The singing in the stands faded out. The Spanish fans were worried that they would not expect the high hopes of their own team to play so badly, and the England fans were also worried - Fabio Capello's back three gave them hope of not losing, but they did not see any hope of winning.

※※※ The game went on for the 118th minute, with two minutes left before the end of extra time.

George. Rather than handing it to Gerrard, Barry or anyone else as usual after cutting off Cesc Fabregas at the back, Wood opted to dribble forward himself.

His sudden move caught the Spanish midfielder off guard, and apart from Cesc Fabregas, who was always by his side, everyone else forgot to defend the England number 13 who was rushing forward with the ball.

Cesc Fabregas knew exactly what this kid was going to do. When Nottingham Forest was in trouble, Tony Forest. Donn would occasionally let George. Wood suddenly stepped forward to organize an attack, and this often worked wonders!

Donn shouted from the live broadcast booth, "Go, George! go！ ”

"George. Wood dribbled forward on his own and the Spanish midfielder was completely unintercepted...... No, Cesc Fabregas is still following him...... But he's not fast enough! Mortenson clenched his fists and shouted.

It was England's last attack...... Capello got up from his seat, pursed his lips and looked at the court, unmoving, like a statue.

"Gerrard was answering him...... Puyol is here! Passing? No! Break through! Well done, George!! ”

Wood leaned on Puyol's combination of body and speed to force past the Barcelona captain.

"It's in the thirty-meter zone!"

Donn seems to have forgotten that he is now a guest commentator and not the manager of Nottingham Forest. He got up from his seat, clenched his fists and yelled into the field: "Shoot! George! Shot!! ”

"But he's a bit ...... shooting," Shearer disagreed, thinking the pass was better.

Before he could finish his question, Wood suddenly got up when he was about thirty metres from goal, and even Cesc Fabregas didn't expect him to be so decisive.

The ball soars into the air, does not spin, and flies straight towards the goal, bringing a gust of wind.

Casillas didn't have time to adjust his position, so he could only soar into the air and stretch out his arms to save the corner. At the moment, 'Saint-Igor' was the only man the Spaniard could rely on, and all the defenders could not do anything about Wood's shot.

“ge_ooooooooooo——gooooooooal！！！”

With a long roar from Mortensen, Casillas fell from the air and did not touch the ball. The soccer ball pierced the defensive barrier of "San Igor" and turned into a meteor and crashed into the net!

The deadlock of nearly one hundred and twenty minutes was broken...... "earth-shattering kick...... World Wave!! Mortenson, who had been suppressed for one hundred and twenty minutes, also broke out, he stood up and waved his arms vigorously and yelled, "Goal! gooal！ gooooal！！ Lore! The final kill! There's no better lore than this! Casillas lost to George. Wood! George...... St. George ()! 'St. George' defeated 'St. Igor'! He is the patron saint of England (Note 1)! Let's go to the semifinals, see you in Spain!! ”

"St. George", who scored the killer goal, was crushed by his crazy teammates, and Capello, who escaped death, hugged each other tightly, cursed in Italian, and vented his pent-up emotions for 120 minutes. Before the World Cup, the English FA gave Capello the goal of reaching the last four, and now he has done that.

On the Spanish side, there was a dead silence, and everyone couldn't believe that all of England except for the goalkeeper could not shoot the most goalkeeper. Wood unexpectedly kicked such a world wave, kicking them back to their Spanish home country at the last minute.

"Yes! He's terrible at archery! But this is not the first time in his career that he has scored such a wonderful world wave! Manchester United and Chelsea were both defeated by his powerful shot...... The Spaniards should have learned their lesson! You have 'St. Igor', we have 'St. George'!! ”

"Four hundred and twenty-two years ago, the British Navy hoisted the flag of St. George of the Blood Red Triangle in the Atlantic, fought to the end, never flinched, and defeated the Spanish Armada! Now we see the glorious flag again, flying over Johannesburg, South Africa! Once again, we have defeated the Spanish Armada!! ”

"St. George bless England!! _for_england！！ ”

※※※ (Note 1: The flag of St. George is the flag of England, and the flag is a red cross on a white background.) The flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (i.e. the United Kingdom) consists of the flag of St. George representing England and the flag of St. Andrews representing Scotland, as well as the flag of St. Patrick representing Ireland.

St. George is the legendary patron saint of England, a dragon slayer knight. The blood of the dragon he slain formed a blood-red cross on the ground. In 1277, the English designed a flag with a red cross on a white background as the flag of England. It is also said that St. George was a brave Roman cavalry officer who was killed in 303 A.D. for trying to stop the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. In 494 A.D., he was canonized by Pope Gelasius I. He also became a protective saint in England, Georgia, Moscow, Catalonia, Malta, Lithuania, soldiers, and skin diseases.

In the flag language of the sea, the St. George flag is a blood-red pennant, the flagship flag of the British Royal Navy. Raising it is a way to tell your opponent that you will fight to the death and never back down. The red pennant is a symbol of the martial spirit at sea.

So the excited Mortenson borrowed George here. Wood's name, which refers to him as the patron saint of England, "St. George", is also very apt. ）

(To be continued)