Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 154: 154. Belgium Falls Behind at the Start

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Xinhua News Agency:

”The highly anticipated Brazil World Cup kicked off on the 12th with its opening match. Before the game started at 5 PM local time, scattered protests occurred in major Brazilian cities, adding some noise to the grand event. However, after the Brazil Team lived up to expectations by defeating the Croatia Team 3-1, people across the country set off fireworks to celebrate...”

People’s Daily Online:

”World Cup opening match: Brazil defeated Croatia 3-1; In the 11th minute, during a Croatia counter-attack on the left wing, Ivica Oli? broke through and crossed, Nikica Jelavi? missed at the near post, and Marcelo accidentally blocked the ball into his own goal, marking the Brazil Team’s first own goal in the World Cup. Neymar equalized in the 29th minute with a low left-footed shot from the top of the box, following a brilliant pass from Oscar; In the 71st minute, Fred was slightly pulled down in the box by Dejan Lovren, and the referee Yuichi Nishimura awarded Brazil a penalty, which Neymar converted to take the lead...”

BBC Sport:

”Latin pop diva Jennifer Lopez led the performance of the theme song ’We Are One,’ watched by over 1 billion viewers worldwide on television. In the match, Neymar scored twice (including a controversial penalty), and his 71st-minute penalty, though saved by the Croatia goalkeeper, still found the net, highlighting his mental fortitude...”

ESPN FC:

”Neymar had 88 touches, 5 successful dribbles, and created 4 scoring chances, earning him the Man of the Match award (9 points). The Brazil Team’s defensive lynchpin, Thiago Silva, contributed 7 clearances and 3 interceptions, thwarting multiple Croatia counter-attacks...”

Sina.com:

”In the Belgium Team’s training on the 14th, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne left early due to a right ankle injury, while teammate Kevin Mirallas treated his knee with an ice pack. Coach Marc Wilmots stated that the situation was not too bad, emphasizing the fierce competition within the team and the players’ eagerness to play in the first match against Algeria. This dark horse team, with many potential rising stars, is highly anticipated by the outside world. Their total market value exceeds 400 million euros, with rising stars like Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Lance receiving significant attention...”

Sky Sports:

”With an average age of 25, Belgium is one of the youngest teams in the World Cup, boasting top players like Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany, and Eden Hazard, as well as talented players like Kevin De Bruyne and Lance. However, the Belgium Team’s lack of major tournament experience might be a weakness...”

What made Lance quite restless was that, in the 2014 Brazil World Cup, the Belgium Team was placed in the final Group H. Watching exciting matches over the past few days, such as Brazil vs. Croatia, Spain vs. Netherlands, England vs. Italy, and Germany vs. Portugal, had ignited Lance’s passion for football.

He truly wished he could immediately run onto the field and battle these world football powerhouses for three hundred rounds. Especially the Netherlands Team’s famous moment, Robin van Persie’s astonishing flying header, left Lance dumbfounded.

Even with his cheat, he couldn’t have scored a goal like that. It was clear that on a field filled with superstars, Lance was not the most outstanding one. Everyone was a master, and he had to give his all to shine on this stage.

Most other groups had already played one round, and some were even preparing for the second, when it was finally the Belgium Team’s turn. In their Group H, Belgium was currently in the first tier due to their FIFA ranking points in recent years.

Their group opponents included Algeria, Russia, and South Korea. Belgium’s first match was against Algeria, and Lance had already learned the starting lineup from the coaching staff; he was confirmed not to start.

While his teammates walked onto the Estádio Mineir?o holding hands with the child mascots, enjoying the thunderous applause from the crowd, Lance could only sit on the bench with Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens.

Marouane Fellaini, the ’Afro-haired’ player who had fought tooth and nail with Lance in the Champions League group stage, never imagined he would become Lance’s teammate.

”Lance, what do you think? I feel a bit nervous.”

”Nervous playing Algeria too?”

”Yes, it’s my first time participating in the World Cup after all.”

”Speaking of which, you’re not even playing... they should be the ones who are nervous.”

”Damn it!”

Teased by Lance, Marouane Fellaini was speechless. He was tormented by Lance on the field, and he couldn’t even win an argument with the kid; Marouane Fellaini truly had no way to deal with him.

With a whistle from the referee, the Belgium Team’s first match officially began! As a North African team, Algeria’s football was heavily influenced by France. Even French football legend Zinedine Zidane holds Algerian nationality.

Although seemingly suppressed by the Belgium Team in terms of reputation and strength, Algeria played very systematically, defending deep while organizing counter-attacks very smoothly. Despite controlling over 70% of possession, Belgium was consistently unable to break through their opponent’s impenetrable defense.

In their first World Cup match, both teams played quite cautiously, and the game at times seemed very dull. Originally, Chinese fans mostly focused on Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Germany, England...

As a dark horse, the Belgium Team didn’t have too many fans. When Lance joined Belgium, and domestic brands like LeTV collaborated with the Belgium Team, more and more fans began to notice this ’European Red Devils’ team.

Even though Lance didn’t start, nearly 100 million fans still paid attention to this match. CCTV5 and LeTV also dispatched their core commentary teams to provide commentary.

”As it’s the first match, neither side has attempted overly risky attacks; both teams are currently battling for control in the midfield. Algeria’s defense is quite solid, and Belgium doesn’t seem to have a good solution. Kevin De Bruyne, controlling the ball on the right wing... passes to Moussa Dembélé, then to Eden Hazard!! Beautiful!!”

”Eden Hazard dribbles past two defenders!! Tries a shot himself!!”

”Algeria goalkeeper Ra?s M’Bolhi saves the ball.”

”...Algeria’s counter-attack!! Very fast, Belgium’s defense is a bit slow to react!”

”Jan Vertonghen!! Oh no!! He pulled someone in the box, a foul!!”

”In the 24th minute of the match, an unexpected turn of events occurred; a foul by Algeria forced a foul from the Belgium defender! The referee decisively showed a yellow card and awarded a penalty!”

He Wei was stunned, having thought Belgium would easily crush Algeria and charge forward as a dark horse. Who would have thought that the Belgium Team, hyped up by European media, would stumble in their very first match!

Lance, watching from the bench, also frowned deeply. Jan Vertonghen was at least a starting defender for Tottenham Hotspur; how could he be tricked like that by an unknown opposing forward?

And there were central defenders like Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich’s starting center-back Daniel Van Buyten... Who could have imagined such a defensive line would be exploited by Algeria?

Thibaut Courtois was also stunned.

”Fuck!! What the hell, man?”

Having to save a penalty in the first match, Courtois wasn’t ready. Algeria’s number 10 core player, Sofiane Feghouli, converted it perfectly.

”Goal!! Belgium concedes first in the 24th minute, trailing Algeria 0-1!”

”This is the World Cup; any team can pose a threat! You really can’t underestimate anyone!”

”Oh?”

He Wei’s eyes lit up, as did those of all Chinese fans watching on television. They saw the Chinese face on the bench.

The director probably watches the Bundesliga often; whenever Bayer Leverkusen is behind, he invariably focuses the camera on Lance. Because Lance, when his team is trailing, usually has a magical performance.

”Lance, at just 17 years old, he is the youngest player in this World Cup, though he hasn’t made it into the starting lineup for the first match. If the score deficit persists, we might see in the second half— After 12 years, a Chinese player appearing on the World Cup stage once again!”