Chapter 646 The Last 2 Minutes of Suffocation!

"Although the goal was not scored using the ground cooperation method we are familiar with, the Spanish team still scored first. Now the rhythm of the game seems to have returned to what everyone predicted before the game."

"Haha, the game had a tendency to go off track, but Lin Quan forced it to go straight."

In the CCTV studio, the two commentators couldn't help but tease after seeing the Spanish team's goal.

After taking the lead, the Spanish team played more calmly, and the ground attack was more proactive. Moreover, they seemed to be inspired by Lin Quan's free kick goal. They increased their attempts to break through, as if they wanted to actively create fouls for the opponent and give Lin Quan a chance to take a free kick.

Free kicks are not enough just for skills. If you want to score, you have to feel it.

If you feel it, you can score no matter how you kick. If you don't feel it, you can't score no matter how good your skills are.

And Lin Quan has already scored a free kick, which proves that he is in a very good state for free kicks in this game.

In this case, it is natural to continue to work hard and create more opportunities for him.

For a while, Isco, David Silva, and even striker Diego Costa were all banging and banging.

This style of play made the French team feel very uncomfortable. At the beginning, they did not react and still dealt with the opponent in the same defensive way as before.

As a result, the Spanish team was given several free kick opportunities, and whenever there was a free kick, the Spanish team's penalty kicker must be Lin Quan.

Every time they saw Lin Quan standing in front of the football and preparing to take a free kick, the French players could not help but feel frightened.

They were afraid that he would copy the last free kick and score directly. If the opponent scored two goals in such a short time, the situation of the French team would be really dangerous.

Thank God, the positions of these free kicks were not too good. Except for one very threatening shot that forced the goalkeeper to make a thrilling save, the other free kicks were either blocked by the wall, or the strength and angle were not controlled well and the kicks were high or missed.

Although the opponent did not continue to score, the French team did not dare to give the opponent free kicks so easily.

They saw that the opponent's No. 10 was in really good shape today.

If he was given another free kick opportunity with a perfect position like the first goal, he might have scored a goal.

Therefore, the French team consciously reduced the number of fouls in front of their own penalty area and moved the battlefield of the two sides to the vicinity of the center circle.

Even if a foul was committed at this position, it would be very difficult to directly score a free kick at this distance because the foul location was too far from the goal.

Such a long-distance free kick, if it can be scored, will become a classic scene in the World Cup and be remembered by countless people.

The French team's idea is good, and the tactics to deal with it cannot be said to be wrong.

But they overlooked one thing, that is, the yellow card Kante received for fouling Lin Quan in defense.

Affected by the yellow card on his back, Kante not only lost the opportunity to commit a tactical foul, but he himself was afraid of getting a card when defending, so he didn't dare to make too big a defensive move.

This greatly reduced Kante's defensive power. In the first thirty minutes, Kante was basically able to restrict Lin Quan, greatly reducing his offensive threat.

But now, it is very difficult or even impossible to do these things.

After losing Kante, the trump card to limit Lin Quan, the French team had to double-team him in order to limit Lin Quan.

But there were only so many people on the court. If one more person was sent to deal with Lin Quan, there would inevitably be empty spaces in other positions.

In addition, the Spanish team habitually played a pressing attack, and they had a clear advantage in numbers when fighting near the center circle.

Except for a defender who was dragging back to defend, all other players participated in the pressing and attacking.

On the other hand, the French team had at least two people on their back line unable to move, and the full-backs on both sides had to be on guard against the opponent's surprise attack from the wing at all times.

This made the difference in the number of people between the two sides in the midfield even greater, so there was no surprise that the French team gradually fell into a disadvantage in the confrontation between the two sides.

The Spanish team's ground penetration was very strong, and they were very good at passing and cutting in the narrow space in the frontcourt.

And when the opponent moved the strangulation area forward, their space in the backcourt was much larger than before, which gave the Spanish team more room for cooperation!

In the 37th minute, the Spanish team played a wonderful cooperation.

After Lin Quan received the ball on the left, he played a wall-to-wall match with David Silva. Facing multiple double-teams from the opponent, he calmly passed the ball to the wing.

After receiving the ball, the full-back Carvajal passed it diagonally to David Silva who cut inside. The latter knocked it horizontally in front of the goal. Diego Costa, who received the ball with his back, passed the ball back to Isco who followed up in the middle.

The latter shot directly without interference and made a very beautiful long shot.

This shot was of extremely high quality, powerful, fast, and the angle was also very tricky.

After Isco completed the shot, he felt that he had it in his heart, and he couldn't help but raise his hands and prepared to celebrate.

But the French goalkeeper Lori, who was beaten by Lin Quan, was like a god this time. He jumped up at a very fast speed and blocked the ball that was almost touching the goal post.

Isco was dumbfounded!

Can such a ball be saved?

Is the opponent's goalkeeper a god?

The French fans in the stands thought that they were going to lose the second goal. Many female fans covered their eyes in fear and dared not watch the game.

As a result, they waited for a long time and did not hear any cheers from the scene. So they opened their eyes curiously and saw their compatriots around them looking stunned.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

"Lori... he... actually saved the ball!"

The French fans who were asked were so excited that they even stuttered when they spoke.

Coincidentally, the big screen at the scene began to replay the save just now.

The Spanish team's offensive coordination was very beautiful. Even the fans of the French team couldn't help but cheer for the other side.

But the really beautiful one was Lori's save. Before Isco completed the shot, he seemed to have predicted the opponent's shooting intention in advance and quietly moved two steps to the right.

It was these two key steps that allowed him to save Isco's shot.

Otherwise, even if he reacted faster, he would fail to save because his arms were not long enough to reach the ball.

What is even more admirable is that it is very dangerous for goalkeepers to save a football that is almost rubbing against the goalpost.

If they are not careful, they will hit the post and may be injured. If the injury is serious, it may affect their career.

Moreover, humans have the instinct to avoid danger. Asking goalkeepers to save such a ball is no different from asking people to hit the wall. Human instinct needs to be overcome.

"Lori!"

"Lori!"

"Lori!"

After watching the replay on the big screen, countless French fans at the scene shouted Lori's name and paid high respect to him.

Fortunately, we have Lori!

This is the most real thought in the hearts of countless French fans at this moment.

After completing this wonderful save, Lori stood up from the lawn and roared, venting all the frustration and anger in his heart.

He felt that his state was back. The mentality that had fluctuated due to Lin Quan's influence before had completely calmed down at this moment.

As long as he was not allowed to face Lin Quan, he had no fear against other Spanish players, and he could even perform beyond his normal level.

As for how he will play against Lin Quan, Lori is still a little unsure. He needs to save a few more good balls to further build his confidence.

When Isco shot, Lin Quan also covered the ball.

Isco's shooting quality is very high. Even if he is handed over to handle it, I am afraid he will not handle it better.

But Isco's luck seems to be not very good. He encountered the moment when the opponent's goalkeeper was in full swing.

"Good shot, keep it up!"

Seeing Isco's somewhat frustrated expression, Lin Quan went up and patted him on the shoulder.

"Well, I will!"

Isco nodded heavily and tried to adjust his state so as not to let this shot affect his mentality.

Of course, he was very unhappy in his heart. Why did the opponent's goalkeeper perform mediocrely when facing Lin, but suddenly burst out when facing himself?

Did the opponent treat me as a soft persimmon?

This is intolerable!

On the side of the court, Deschamps stood up and applauded the team's successful defense.

However, although he was applauding, his expression looked quite solemn.

Obviously, Deschamps has seen the dilemma the team is facing.

Before, the Spanish team did not play such a threatening attack in the positional battle, but now they have.

Although they did not score in the end, this trend itself is very dangerous.

Fortunately, there is not much time left in the first half. Deschamps glanced at the scoreboard and the time has come to 38 minutes.

The French team can end the first half of the game if they hold on for another seven or eight minutes.

Although they lost a ball, it was not a big deal. He was confident that he could catch up in the second half.

But the premise is not to lose the ball again!

Hold on, boys, hold on through the first half, and it will be our turn to blow the horn of counterattack in the second half.

The French players on the field seemed to have a tacit understanding with their head coach. They did not need the coach to shout on the sidelines and ask them what to do. They all chose steady defense.

How much defense investment did the French team have?

Just look at Mbappe's position!

In the 40th minute, during an attack by the Spanish team, Mbappe returned to the penalty area and made a tackle.

Even he, the vanguard of the counterattack, returned to the penalty area, so it is easy to imagine what the other French players were doing.

Mbappe's original intention was good, but whether this choice was cost-effective is another matter.

At least after Mbappe actively returned to defense, the Spanish team's attack became more and more unscrupulous.

Almost the entire team pressed past the half court, and even the goalkeeper De Gea was active near the center circle on the French side.

All members of the Spanish team have participated in the attack, and the goalkeeper is the last line of defense. He even has to act as the point of passing during the attack.

Thanks to the advantage in numbers, the Spanish team's attack has become extremely fierce.

Center, side, ribs...

The French team was in a state of emergency in all directions. The opponent's attack was urgent and fierce, and they were a little exhausted.

Although the first half was not over yet, the French players on the field felt that they were too tired to run.

The huge psychological pressure, coupled with the opponent's crazy attack, made them have no chance to catch their breath and they were always running at high intensity.

It was not until this time that the French players really realized the strength of the Spanish team's attack.

What a storm!

"The Spanish team's attack is so fierce!"

"The football is almost always flying in the French team's penalty area!"

"One wave after another, giving the French team no chance to breathe!"

"The French team's defense line is a bit messy, they must find a way to clear the ball and take a breath, otherwise, they are afraid that they will be crushed by the powerful offensive of the Spanish team!"

The goalkeeper of the French team, Lori, has become the busiest person on the field during this period.

If it weren't for his high-level defense, flying saves again and again, helping the team to turn danger into safety, the French team would probably not be able to withstand the Spanish team's attack.

But even Lori felt a little suffocated.

The opponent's attack was too fierce. Every time he made a save, he didn't have time to take a breath, and he had to fly to save again.

Although he looked handsome in the high catch, he was really exhausted.

Fortunately, the first half was almost over, and there was not much time left for the Spanish team.

Otherwise, he really couldn't imagine how long he could last if the Spanish team continued to siege like this!

On the side of the court, the head coaches of both teams couldn't sit still.

Bosque crossed his arms and frowned as he watched the team's attack.

The team's attack during this period was very fierce, but it was built on the cost of squeezing the players' physical strength.

If the opponent could withstand this wave of attacks, the Spanish team would lose a lot.

Originally, their physical strength was not as good as the opponent, and now they are squeezing their physical strength like this. In that case, in the second half, their physical bottleneck would appear earlier.

Moreover, such an attack could not defeat the opponent, and it would seriously dampen the morale of the team.

If they couldn't defeat the opponent when they were full of physical strength in the first half, when the opponent's offensive round came in the second half, Spain might not have the opportunity to suppress the opponent like this.

So, score quickly, just one more goal is enough!

On the French team side, Deschamps frowned even more.

Even though he was not on the field, he could clearly feel that the players' condition had been squeezed to the limit.

This made him very nervous. His clenched fists were full of sweat, and the tie on his suit was particularly tight around his neck, making him feel breathless.

At this moment, the fourth official raised a sign, and the injury time in the first half was 1 minute.

Seeing this time, Deschamps breathed a sigh of relief.

Now the game time has reached 43 minutes, and it is about to enter the 44th minute.

Even if the injury time is included, there are only more than 2 minutes left in the game.

So, you have to hold on!

Grit your teeth and hold on!

After holding on for the last 2 minutes, the victory will be ours! (End of this chapter)