Green Field Eunuch

Chapter 627 Victory
On the field.

The Ivorian players celebrated excitedly.

This goal was indeed very important for them. Pulling back a goal means that in the remaining 20 minutes or so, they still have a chance to equalize or even take the lead.

After the celebrations ended and the game resumed.

Ivory Coast continued to focus all their energy on attack, with most of their players going up to attack, leaving only a few defenders to mark Shan Yongzhuo.

This is the group stage of the World Cup, and every match is very important.

Despite scoring a goal, they are still behind with only about 20 minutes left. Ivory Coast must continue their desperate attack.

Under the relentless bombardment of Ivory Coast, the Chinese team's defense was in dire straits, but the Chinese players did not lose their spirit because of conceding a goal, and everyone tried their best.

At least for now, they are still in the lead, by one goal, which gives them the confidence to focus on defense.

This match was also of great significance to them.

With victory seemingly within reach, the prospect of securing their first World Cup win by maintaining a solid defense fueled everyone's motivation.

Although the situation was still very passive, everyone did their best to run and fight, and constantly made active defensive adjustments. As soon as they won the ball, they would kick it forward with a long kick.

This left Shan Yongzhuo with few options. He could stay in the attacking third for a long time, but getting the ball was like winning the lottery – it was all down to luck. His teammates weren't passing the ball normally; every pass was a time-wasting clearance.

Dan Yongzhuo even considered going back to participate in the defense, but after glancing at Tiote beside him and Zokora behind him, he decided to stay in front. At least that way he could play a role in restraining the enemy and maybe get a counter-attack opportunity at any time.

So, I'll stay standing.

This stop took 15 minutes.

The match has reached the 83rd minute, and the score is still 2-1, with China leading by one goal. Ivory Coast has not given up and continues to bombard China with attacks.

They are currently trailing by one goal, and after 15 consecutive minutes of unsuccessful attacks, the most important thing for Ivory Coast now is to equalize.

This time, Ivory Coast launched an attack.

Huang Bowen and Gao Lin suddenly double-teamed Drogba, and with Zheng Zhi's defense, Drogba, who had the ball, was suddenly faced with three players. Caught off guard, Huang Bowen stole the ball.

Huang Bowen made the interception and immediately launched a long ball to the side, as the Ivorian players on the flanks had all rushed up, leaving the flanks virtually empty.

Seeing his opportunity, Shan Yongzhuo immediately accelerated back and rushed towards the ball's landing point.

Tiote was a little slow.

Although he was only a little slower, he was still left behind and the ball was taken by Shan Yongzhuo.

Dan Yongzhuo successfully stopped the ball and turned around, and Tiote seized the opportunity to close in, and then the two began to race against each other.

Dan Yongzhuo took a big step forward with the ball and then quickly chased after it. Tiote also tried his best to catch up, and was able to barely keep up with Dan Yongzhuo. The two were almost on the same level.

Shan Yongzhuo was also somewhat surprised.

His speed is already a powerful weapon, but I didn't expect this guy to be able to keep up.

After two consecutive forward runs and sprints, Shan Yongzhuo realized that shaking off Tiote was not so easy.

But glancing at the Ivory Coast goal, Shan Yongzhuo noticed that Ivory Coast's goalkeeper, Barry, was standing outside the penalty area line, still desperately running back.

He immediately recognized the opportunity.

When he caught up with the ball again, Shan Yongzhuo slowed down slightly and swung his right foot high, striking the ball toward the goal before Tiote could react.

The shot was from a great distance, more than 30 meters, nearly 40 meters, from the goal.

The football arced high, and as it began to fall, it hurtled towards the goal.

By this time, Barry had only run halfway back and was powerless to stop them. All he could do was pray in his heart, "Don't go in!"

He certainly knew what that goal meant. If it went in.

Ivory Coast is destined to lose this match.

Having lost to China, widely considered the weakest team in the group, Ivory Coast's chances of advancing are looking bleak.

As if heeding Barry's prayer, the football slammed into the edge of the penalty area, then bounced high, struck the crossbar, and fell into the goal.

"Hoohoo!"

A deafening commotion erupted from the stands, signaling the outcome.

"Shan Yongzhuo!"

"A hat-trick! He scored a hat-trick in his World Cup debut!"

"3 to 1!"

"China leads Ivory Coast by two goals!"

"The match is over. We can now announce that the Chinese team has successfully defeated the Ivory Coast team in the opening match, and we have won our first victory in the World Cup!"

The CTV5 commentator was very excited.

Equally excited were people all over the country; wherever the game was being watched, thunderous cheers erupted.

This is different from qualifying for the World Cup.

This match marked China's first goal in the World Cup, securing their first victory in the World Cup finals.

Not only were the Chinese fans at the Pernambuco Stadium in a frenzy, but the whole country was also in an uproar. Excited fans flooded the streets, barbecue stalls, KTVs, bars, and all sorts of places where the game was being watched, and excited people were celebrating wildly.

The name mentioned most often by everyone is still Shan Yongzhuo.

Everyone knows that the key figure who brought about this victory was Shan Yongzhuo.

Many people were not optimistic about Shan Yongzhuo's World Cup journey, and he was even ranked only fifth in the Golden Boot predictions.

The reason is the weak strength of the Chinese national football team.

Many people believe that even if Shan Yongzhuo is very strong, he still needs the support of capable teammates.

In Granada, the company does not rely entirely on Shan Yongzhuo alone.

The defense is supported by Van Dijk, the midfield by Nainggolan, and the attack by Harry Kane.

But the Chinese team doesn't have teammates like that.

But now.

All the doubts turned into sighs of emotion.

Media from other countries who were present could only exclaim, "Shan Yongzhuo is still the same Shan Yongzhuo!"

In his World Cup debut, with the team focusing solely on defense and only managing three shots on goal so far, Shan Yongzhuo still managed to score three clean and decisive goals.

This incredible efficiency is astonishing.

Everyone looked down at the number 19 player in the Chinese fans' section, who was raising his fist to celebrate a goal.

Chinese fans and media reporters felt reassured.

Foreign media, on the other hand, felt a deep sense of apprehension.

(End of this chapter)