game trailblazer

Chapter 135 The American World Cup ([-])
Since the second group match in Italy, Chen Zishan seemed embarrassed every time she saw Zhang Lexing, and she said less than before. However, she did not refuse Zhang Lexing's invitation to continue watching the Italian team's game. Qian helped her book a hotel room and Chen Zishan didn't object, which made Zhang Lexing a little confused about her thoughts.

In the third game, Italy moved to the President Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, and the opponent was Mexico. At this time, the pressure on Italy was not as great as the previous game. As long as they did not lose, they could qualify.However, after the start of the game, Italy seemed extremely impatient. They wanted to tear through Mexico's defense line with three passes and two downs, but failed repeatedly in front of the opponent's meticulous defense. At the end of halftime, the two sides scored a goalless draw, and the score was always fixed at 0:0.

Just after the second half, Italian coach Sacchi replaced the underperforming striker Casiraghi, and another striker, Massaro, came off the bench.In the past 2 minutes, Massaro kicked the ball into the Mexican goal when he first touched the ball, and Sacchi's substitution showed a miraculous effect.As the ball flew into Mexico's net, Chen Zishan jumped up again with joy, and walked around the box several times screaming and laughing, but unfortunately, Italy's subsequent performance quickly made her look dignified again.Originally leading by one goal was a good time to boost morale and pursue the victory, but Italy suddenly retreated to the backcourt, basically only Roberto Baggio remained in the frontcourt. The midfielders almost gave up.Soon, Mexico besieged the gate of Italy frantically, and the Italian players were tired of defending. Occasionally, Italy passed a few balls, and because Roberto Baggio was alone, he quickly lost them.Chen Zishan watched the field nervously, and her mood fluctuated constantly with the ball flying in the air. Several times when the ball whizzed and flew towards the Italian goal, she couldn't help but grabbed Zhang Lexing's arm.

Just 9 minutes after Massaro's goal, the Mexicans finally seized the opportunity to recover a goal from their left midfielder Bernal, and Italy was in danger.Chen Zishan became even more nervous. While watching the situation in the arena, she muttered: "Can't enter... can't enter...", hoping that with her own blessing, Italy can survive.Fortunately, Italy's defense did not disappoint Chen Zishan anymore. After defending the 1:1 draw to the end, Italy finally made it out.Chen Zishan's mood also improved a lot, and she discussed with Zhang Lexing about the prospects of Italy after qualifying.

"Le Xing, do you think Italy will perform better in the future?"

"I think it should be. Italy has always had a tradition of slow progress. It is not once or twice that the group stage played badly. Although the process of the group stage this time was not ideal, at least the result was not bad. In the group stage, in fact There are many players who have not shown their true strength, for example, Roberto Baggio did not perform well in the last round, but his state should be better when he waits for the knockout round."

Chen Zishan nodded: "I think so too. Italy will definitely perform better than last time, maybe even win the championship."

Italy did perform better than the previous one, promoted from No.3 to No.2, but Zhang Lexing would not do such stupid things as spoilers, so he could only nod along with Chen Zishan's words.

……

Italy's quarter-final opponents are Group D leaders Nigeria at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.It's a pity that the good form that Chen Zishan expected did not appear in Italy. The offense repeatedly failed in the face of Nigeria's well-structured defense. And Zhang Lexing's poor arm became a victim again.

In the 24th minute of the first half, Nigeria failed to attack and got a corner kick.When the corner kick was sent out quickly, the crowded penalty area was full of people, but no one could touch the ball.The left-back Maldini, who was waiting at the back point, rushed out and tried to clear the ball, but accidentally hit the ball at the feet of the Nigerian team Amunik. By the time he tried to reach out to destroy it, it was too late. Roaring and flying straight to the goal of Italy, the goalkeeper Pagliuca was powerless at this time, and could only watch the goal guarded by the ball.

There was an uproar inside and outside the arena, and Italy fell behind 0:1. Chen Zishan only felt her heart sink, and all the strength in her body disappeared without a trace, and she fell backward involuntarily. Fortunately, there was an extra soft chair behind her back , otherwise it is likely to sit directly on the ground.Chen Zishan sat on the chair dumbly, her mind was in a mess, she kept repeating over and over again: "Italy is over, Baggio is going home..."

Zhang Lexing patted Chen Zishan's shoulder lightly, comfortingly said: "Don't worry, there are still more than 60 minutes, there is still time."

Chen Zishan raised her head, showing a grateful expression, she said with certainty: "Yes, there is still time, Italy still has a chance."

After finishing speaking, Chen Zishan's expression returned to normal, she stood up and continued to watch the battle, but the slight trembling from her hands made Zhang Lexing feel that she was not as calm as she looked on the surface.For the rest of the first half, Italy continued to be fruitless, until the referee blew the whistle to end the first half, and the score was still fixed at 0:1.

After the start of the second half, there was still no sign of a miracle on the field. Italy's offense was more active than in the first half, but in front of Nigeria, which was fully retreating, it seemed to jump on the waves of the reef. Unable to shake the reef half a point.Time passed by every minute and every second, and Italy still couldn't score an equalizing goal. The head coach Sacchi continued to roar in the command area, but he couldn't bring inspiration to the players. Italy's hope became more and more bleak. Chen Zishan Her expression became worse and worse, her body trembled more and more, Zhang Lexing could feel her disappointment.

The camera of the TV broadcast was once again focused on Roberto Baggio, who was staggering on the field with his injured leg, with a bitter smile on his mouth, accompanied by the commentator's words: "Baggio, European Footballer of the Year in 93, World Champion Mr. Football, but I didn't score a single goal in this World Cup..." Chen Zishan's nose was sore and tears welled up in her eyes.

In the No.20 minute of the second half, Zola replaced Signori, but just a few minutes later, he was sent off with a red card as if he was on the field for a visit. Italy could only fight with ten men, and the situation became even worse.

No.403 minutes in the second half, the time for the end is getting closer and closer, Italy is still 0:1 behind Nigeria, Italy seems to be doomed to be out of the game, Chen Zishan has completely lost hope at this time, and the whole person leans softly on the chair , with erratic and lifeless eyes.

At this time, the defender of the Italian team, Moussi, assisted to the frontcourt, dribbled the ball into the ribs of Nigeria's penalty area, and then passed it to Robert Baggio who followed up. The goal, the ball slipped into the net between the keeper's fingers and the post, and the ball went in.

"Baggio scored a goal and Italy drew." Zhang Lexing shouted happily to Chen Zishan.

"What?" Chen Zishan asked in disbelief.

"Baggio scored a goal, it's time for overtime." Zhang Lexing repeated.

"Baggio scored a goal! Italy equalized!" Chen Zishan finally came to her senses, jumped up from her chair happily, and paid close attention to the situation on the court again.

In the 10th minute of extra time, Roberto Baggio passed the ball to the defender Benarivo, who dribbled the ball into the penalty area and was tripped. Italy won a penalty. Baggio took the penalty and made it easily. Italy finally overtook the score.In the following time, Nigeria launched a frantic counterattack, but it always failed in the face of the united defense of the Italians.After a long time, the referee's whistle finally sounded, and Italy narrowly escaped death and qualified for the next round.The Italian players on the field hugged each other tightly, and one can imagine how excited they are now.In the box, Chen Zishan hugged Zhang Lexing, tears of joy flowed down her face, soaking Zhang Lexing's clothes on his chest.Zhang Lexing put his hand on Chen Zishan's back lightly, looking forward to the next game as soon as possible.

……

Italy's next opponent in the quarter-finals was Spain, and it was Roberto Baggio again, and it was nearing the end. With two Baggio's goals, Italy defeated Spain 2:1.In the semi-finals, Italy faced the magical dark horse Bulgaria of this World Cup, or Roberto Baggio. With his two goals in the first half, Italy defeated the dark horse team 2:1 and advanced to the final.Baggio's performance is getting better and better, and Italy continues to break through the blockade. Chen Zishan's mood is also getting better and better, and her attitude towards Zhang Lexing is also much better. When Shi Shi took the opportunity to kiss Xiangze, she no longer resisted.

……

On July 7, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles, players from both Italy and Brazil in the final were already standing on the field.In the box, Chen Zishan was watching the field nervously as usual, while Zhang Lexing acted calmly. After all, it was a game without any suspense for him. It looked like a replay of the game, so he could simply embrace and appreciate it. From the point of view, of course, the protagonist is not which team, but Roberto Baggio.

The process of this final was not exciting. Both sides put more energy into defense, reflecting that the offense was naturally lacklustre, and the few offenses were also stifled by the joint defense of both sides. The process of overtime Still nothing changed, the two sides dragged the game into a penalty shootout in a tacit understanding.

In the first round, Baresi and Santos both missed penalties, and neither side missed in the next two rounds.In the fourth round, Massaro's penalty kick was saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel, while Brazilian captain Dunga made a penalty. At this time, the score between the two sides was 2:3, and Italy was temporarily behind.Italy's last penalty kick was Roberto Baggio. At this time, Italy's only hope was pinned on him. The penalty kick must be scored, and the Brazilian team must miss it, so that Italy can continue to hope. The pressure suddenly All pressure on Baggio's body.

Baggio picked up the ball, put it on his lips and kissed it lightly, and then put it on the penalty spot for a penalty kick. In order to make the ball more stable, he also gently rubbed the ground next to the penalty spot with his feet .Baggio glanced at the goal, and slowly backed away with a dignified expression, until he exited the penalty area before stopping.

Chen Zishan covered her mouth with her hands, and stared nervously at the figure of Baggio on the TV screen in the box. When Baggio retreated outside the restricted area, she was so nervous that she even held her breath, as if she was worried that the breath she exhaled would affect Baggio. Joe made a free throw, and even Zhang Lexing, who knew the result, became inexplicably nervous in this atmosphere.The entire arena suddenly fell silent, and everyone focused on Baggio at this moment.

Baggio started, ran quickly to the ball, kicked and shot.Brazil goalkeeper Taffarel jumped forward and then jumped to his left, but unfortunately the ball flew to the right, and he judged the wrong direction.Tafarel turned his head in despair and looked to the right. Under his gaze, the ball whizzed and flew over the goal.The Brazilian team is boiling, and the Brazilian fans are boiling.Taffarel jumped up from the ground, rushed out of the restricted area, then knelt down on the ground, clenched his fists, pointed his index fingers to the sky and screamed to the sky, venting the joy in his heart.And beside Tafarel, there is the lonely figure of Baggio, standing quietly in front of the goal with his head bowed. Against the backdrop of Tafarel's madness, he looks extremely desolate and lonely...

The moment the ball flew over the crossbeam of the gate, Chen Zishan felt the sound of crystal breaking coming from her body, but she seemed to have lost all feeling. After a long time, she felt heartaches.Tears gushed out and fell down her cheeks, quickly blurring her vision, but in the dim eyes of tears, she felt that Baggio's silent figure was so clear.

Zhang Lexing also had some inexplicable emotions in his heart, but seeing that Chen Zishan was so sad, he hurriedly embraced her, and while carefully wiping her tears away, he comforted her: "Zishan, don't be sad, even though you lost this time , but Italy still has a chance, and will definitely win the Hercules Cup in the future."

That's right, Zhang Lexing knew that Italy still had a chance to win the cup, but Baggio never had a chance again. This World Cup became the closest he was to the championship, but it was so close, perhaps only one meter away.

(End of this chapter)