Chapter 238: Eagle Ball!
The drop-backs of Cristiano Ronaldo and Figo helped the defence, narrowing the space for Spain's two wing-backs to move in order not to give them room to accelerate. Although this played a little role, the two Spanish wings were really powerful, and they still put a lot of pressure on the Portuguese defence from time to time. In the 9th minute of the first half, Vicente started with all his speed on the left side, and it was his superhuman speed and excellent foot control ability that he wiped Ronaldo and Ferreira one after another, and went straight to the bottom successfully.
Then a precise cross found Torres in the middle. Despite his youth, the 20-year-old talented centre-forward has shown his all-round side. At the front post, after stopping Vicente's pass with his chest, he directly half-turned and fired a powerful volley into the air that sent the ball into the near corner. Ricardo reacted very quickly, and with a stretch of his right hand, he blocked the ball from the bottom line and defused the danger this time. Spain's successful attack was also a wake-up call to Portugal that it was not time for them to relax.
In the following games, although Portugal had the advantage, Spain's occasional two wing attacks still created a few dangers in front of the Portuguese goal. And the attack of the Portuguese side also had problems. Because it is a grafted Porto tactic, Portugal's 4-2-3-1 is mainly in the middle. This striker is a very important tactical fulcrum in the 4-2-3-1. He may not be the first point of attack, but he must have the ability to assist his teammates who are plugged in. And that's not a hallmark of Pauleta, which is one of the reasons why Portugal are particularly difficult to face against a Greek defence.
Pauletta is the type of striker who is dexterous and runs to grab points. Do this task of the tactical fulcrum of the frontcourt. It's still a little too hard for him. Scolari knows that, too, but Gomes has been in poor form in the Portuguese league this season. I had to make him very vigilant about this. And another center postiga, won the title of a big parallel commodity in the Premier League early. Pitted Tottenham, who had high hopes for him. In such a situation, Scolari had to choose Pauletta, whose characteristics were not suitable. Although the victory in the first two games obscures this, this shortcoming is immutable. Once in the knockout stage, it is very disadvantageous to be caught by the opponent at this point. So this game, or this first half, was Scolari's last chance for Pauletta. Unfortunately, apparently, Pauletta still didn't take the opportunity.
On the contrary, it is Torres on the Spanish side, who plays a stronger role in doing the fulcrum than Pauletta. This is also the Portuguese defence. The reason why the attack on Spain could not be sufficiently restrained. It is also the main reason why Portugal has a dominant midfield, but cannot completely overwhelm Spain on the field. In the case that Lao Lei did not fully exert his strength, this made Portugal and Spain temporarily stalemate on the field.
However, in the 17th minute of the first half, the deadlock was finally broken. However, it was not Portugal or Spain who broke it, but Greece on the other side. They doubled the score with a volley from a tight angle by Frizas. Again broke the door of Russia. One can imagine how passionately the Greeks at the Algarve Stadium were celebrating. At the same time, the Spaniards, who received the news, were silent, according to the score. They will be squeezed out of the tournament by Greece at the end of the tournament and end the tournament early.
Saiss on the sidelines couldn't sit still any longer, and came to the sidelines to give instructions to the Spanish players on the field to press with all their might. Once out. It will undoubtedly be the last game of his career as manager of Spain. The Spanish players, who learned that Greece had expanded the score, suddenly turned red-eyed. It's time to intensify the offensive.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, Joaquín sent in a 45-degree cross directly from the left. Passing the football to Torres' head. This time, Andrade and Carvalho didn't give him a chance to stop the ball and turn around. Torres had to get the ball back to Raul's feet outside the box, and Raul was about to break forward into the box as soon as Raul slammed it. However, Lao Lei's defense did not give him this opportunity. Accurate prediction, let him stretch out his foot and cut off the football at Raul's feet.
Then with a strong body, he firmly protected the football. Raul, as the captain of the Spanish national team, is positive, but his characteristics and physical qualities are indeed not the kind of person who can threaten Lao Lei. Lao Lei forcibly turned around with a force, directly left Raul behind, and then went straight forward with the ball. After coming to the vicinity of the middle circle, after a little observation, Lao Lei directly made a strong long pass to Pauleta at the front of the penalty area. However, Pauletta, who was on his back, was still unable to protect the football and was stabbed by Juanito behind him. He was not able to get the ball to Deco, who was inserted in the back, and was cut off by Spain. Such a counterattack is Porto's routine, but it is clear that Pauletta will not be able to play the role of McCarthy.
However, this attack pointed out one point, that is, after Spain pressed, Portugal's ability to quickly counterattack and seize the gap is not weak. However, Spain have no choice, this game is equivalent to a knockout round for them, and if they don't win or can't draw with Portugal, they will be out. So even though they knew it was very dangerous, they could only continue to press it with all their might.
In the 30th minute of the first half, Spain's attack became more and more aggressive, and played a very threatening attack. It was a wide-range combination, with Vicente getting down and the boccia ball slamming the ball back to Xavi Alonso, who had come up on the edge of the box. He didn't stop the ball and stuffed the ball straight into the box, which was a scalpel-sharp through stop. After Torres forced a turn against Andrade, a low shot from a tricky angle once again allowed Ricardo to make a full save. At this time, Raul showed his goal-front awareness as a top striker, and Lao Lei was still a little worse in this regard.
Raul's nimble movement allowed him to stab diagonally and get a chance to make a stoppage. However, alas, Valente, who was standing on the goal line, stretched out his foot and kicked the ball out, but did not let the ball go into the net. This result made the Spanish fans hug their heads and sigh in unison. Those who waste opportunities on the football field will be punished. Spain, who missed a great chance, were punished in the 36th minute of the first half.
Alonso's long ball tried to find Torres in the box, but the ball couldn't get past Carvalho's head. Lao Lei, who was outside the penalty area, received Carvalho's header, knocked his back heel directly, and then turned around and started to pick up, letting go of Raul, who came to counter-attack. In the face of Alonso, who was not fast enough, Lao Lei directly passed a slightly rough ball and left him behind. When Alonso thinks about tactical fouls again, he will not be given a second chance if he suffers a loss to Lao Lei once. Taken care of by Ray's right elbow, Alonso missed a tactical foul and could only watch the red No.13 walk away.
After a quick pass through midfield, Cristiano Ronaldo, Figo and Deco fired three arrows, ready to support Lao Lei at any time. The two wings were not a good choice at this point, with Spain's two wing-backs rushing back at great speed, but the middle was a very good opportunity. Albelda alone, at the front of the big penalty area, can't form any restrictions on Lao Lei and Deco at all. After Deco pulled him away, Spain's back line appeared naked in front of his eyes.
Coming to the front of the big penalty area, Juanito had to force it out. Lao Lei looked at Ronaldo on the left side and made a sideways pass. Juanito was very alert and stretched out his foot to cut off Ray's pass. However, after he stretched his foot, he found that Lao Lei's right foot did not touch the football at all, and the football was still in place. With the outside instep of his fallen right foot, Old Ray forced a breakthrough directly from Juanito's right. Lao Lei was in the middle, and with a wonderful long-distance run, he directly stabbed the Spanish defense line through the middle, like a rapid raid by cavalry.
Next, facing Casillas, who attacked, it seemed to be at ease. Lao Lei did not kick directly, but rushed to Casillas with the ball, and after a fake shot and a real buckle, he shook Casillas. Immediately after a slight jump, the empty gate appeared in front of Lao Lei. An effortless push hit the Spanish door. At 1:0, Tong Guò made a wonderful long-distance run, and Lao Lei helped Portugal take the lead.
“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!! Perfect solo show! Ride alone!! Reima alone defeated the entire Spanish defense! It was a goal that sent Spain straight to hell!! His form has not diminished in the slightest! It's like an erupting volcano!! This is a time that belongs to the hero's table xiàn, perfect personal heroism!! We love beautiful team goals, but who can say no to such individual performances?!! Goodjob!!! ”
The agitated Portuguese commentator was unleashing his passion, while the Spanish football commentator was silent and shutting his mouth. Such a goal directly pushed Spain to a desperate situation. The Spanish fans were also silent, knowing where the team was now. The game that was held to a draw by Greece only laid a direct hidden danger for them. At this time, Spanish fans are disappointed, their team still has a gorgeous lineup, still has a strong strength, but their team still seems to be the king of the qualifiers. For them, this name is not a compliment, but a sarcasm.
At the same time, after scoring a very beautiful solo goal, Lao Lei did not seem very excited, but more relaxed and happy.
He came to the corner flag area.
Then in front of the stands, a golf pose was struck.
Twist your hips and swing.
Then hold the position and put your right hand on your forehead and look out, as if to see where the golf ball has gone.
And the cheers of the Portuguese fans that resounded over the stadium answered him.
It's an eagle ball!! (To be continued......)