Post-match press conference.

A previously drowsy Del Bosque now appeared radiant.

He stroked his mustache and began to answer reporters' questions:

"We must remain humble and be wary."

"The key to victory was Lee and the turf."

"The Kazan Arena's turf used to be the most famous vegetable garden in the world."

"Mexico played wonderfully. They demonstrated an excellent competitive attitude tonight, with a negligible number of fouls throughout the match."

"Is tiki-taka dead? The debate has been ongoing since 2014, and there's still no answer."

"Lee's injury recovery is progressing well. Of course, we will consider allowing him to continue resting."

A moment later.

Mexico's coach, Osorio, also showered praise on the Spanish team.

"Our opponents might be the World Cup champions. Lee has restored the frightening control of the Matador fleet. Losing by two goals to Mexico is nothing to be ashamed of."

"Although Lee wasn't directly involved in goals or assists, he can elevate the entire team's strength, rendering our pre-match strategic deployments completely ineffective."

"Mexico's most important task next is to strive for second place in the group and qualify."

"Perhaps we can meet Spain again in the Confederations Cup final."

This guy is a scholar-type coach. After his playing career ended, he sold his car and watch to study in England.

He also spied on training details of Liverpool and Manchester United.

He even learned the "high-frequency rotation strategy" from Ferguson.

After obtaining his diploma, he traveled to Latin American countries, becoming a "national team coach specialist."

Meanwhile.

The fax machine at the Kazan training center kept beeping.

The content was roughly: Arsenal Football Club strongly condemns the Spanish coaching staff for allowing Lee Kang to play with an injury.

As soon as Lee Kang returned to the training base, he was surrounded by team doctors and led to the medical examination room.

After a long while.

Minano held the report and exclaimed excitedly:

"Everything is normal! This trip to Russia is simply wonderful."

"The boss said to let Lee rest. How can we risk Lee with an opponent like New Zealand?"

New Zealand is the 2016 Oceania Nations Cup champion.

The team's biggest star is Chris Wood, who plays for Leeds United.

Most of the other players compete in the Australian A-League.

That's right, most of the New Zealand main players play in the Australian A-League.

For example, the A-League's top scorer, Barbarouses, always manages to score in the final minutes of A-League matches, causing the opposing goalkeeper and defenders to experience a sharp decline in intelligence, defending with their eyes, foolishly staring as the ball drills into the net.

The training base is located in the suburbs of Kazan, with no entertainment venues nearby.

The Spanish players could only huddle in their dorms playing games.

"The De Bruyne and Van Basten combination is awesome!"

"Another goal."

"That's because your goalkeeper is Courtois!"

"Keep it down, Lee is trying to sleep."

"He's five walls away."

Lee Kang lived alone in a single dorm room. He was holding a tablet, watching the recording of the match between Germany and Chile.

The match wasn't particularly exciting.

The transitioning German team, orchestrated by Kroos and Reus, launched wave after wave of complete attacks. Unfortunately, Leipzig's divine striker, Werner, repeatedly missed golden opportunities.

The Chilean team didn't need to adjust their defense at all. Relying on Sanchez's impact, the Andean Condor nearly crushed the German war machine.

Low substituted Havertz and Brandt in the second half.

The Leverkusen twins didn't produce any exquisite link-up play.

However, Havertz and Werner generated a wonderful chemical reaction.

The two fed each other the ball.

In the end.

Germany 2:1 Chile.

Beep beep beep.

The phone rang.

Lee Kang unlocked the screen and saw nothing but messages of concern about his injury.

Besides the Mexican players, everyone else in the world thought his injury hadn't healed?

Voller forwarded and shared several articles of motivational chicken soup about iron will, and also mentioned several classic battles he had experienced in his youth.

Old man Topp was still cursing the instigator who injured Lee Kang.

Dino said that his new girlfriend was the niece of former Bayern's divine doctor, Wolfahrt, and asked Lee Kang to take some time to go to Munich.

Ms. Skaia advised Lee Kang to return to the Cobham training base early to recuperate.

Havertz and Brandt said that if Lee didn't play, they would lift their first international tournament trophy.

Lee Kang simply replied to a few messages and put the phone aside.

The Confederations Cup schedule is very short.

After the group stage is the semi-finals.

The coaching staff may only allow him to play again in the final.

Spain's last group match is against New Zealand.

Lee Kang was not selected for the roster.

Del Bosque arranged for several staff members to accompany him to look around.

Besides the 'Kazan Kremlin' and the Local Lore Museum, there weren't many attractions suitable for visiting in this city.

Lee Kang didn't go to any cathedrals, lama temples, or other religious sites.

He just went to the downtown area to buy some local specialty crafts and returned to the training base.

The transportation he used back and forth was provided by the car company sponsor, SEAT, so it didn't attract the attention of local people and media reporters.

At the same time.

Spartak Stadium in Moscow.

The place was packed, with every seat filled.

Spain vs New Zealand.

The Oceania champions didn't adopt a defensive counter-attacking stance. The words "shrink back" were not in the dictionary of the A-League stars.

Coach Hudson said: We must cherish the opportunity to play against strong teams. The Confederations Cup is a valuable learning journey for New Zealand.

The confrontation process wasn't intense.

The A-League stars were very restrained, and New Zealand continued their "gentle" fouling actions.

They didn't receive a single yellow card throughout the entire Confederations Cup.

In the 8th minute of the match.

Carvajal broke through continuously on the right, crossing from the baseline!

Morata overpowered two opposing central defenders and scored with a header.

1:0.

In the 15th minute of the match.

Koke sent a 45-degree cross from the flank.

Morata scored with a header!

2:0.

In the end.

All group matches were over.

Morata scored four goals.

Spain 6:0 New Zealand, qualifying as the top team in the group.

The semi-final matchups for the 2017 Confederations Cup were also revealed.

Spain vs Chile.

Germany vs Mexico.

Fans made predictions on online forums.

-

[Chile beat Mexico 7:0 with a semi-main lineup last year, Spain beat Mexico 2:0 with a full-main lineup, the conclusion is out, Chile 5:0 Spain.]

-

[If we calculate like that, then how many goals will Germany win against Mexico? They won against Chile, and lost to Spain in the European Cup last year.]

-

[I don't want Spain and Germany to reach the final. The Confederations Cup champion curse is a bit scary: the winner cannot reach the World Cup champion the following year.]

-

[After the Confederations Cup is the Club World Cup, the European Super Cup. If Lee's beacon transfers away from Arsenal early, missing these two championship honors, there might be problems in the Ballon d'Or selection.]

-

[What problems could there be? Three-time champion core midfielder, Premier League Golden Boot, Champions League final playing with bandages to secure the victory, how is it possible to not get the Ballon d'Or?]

-

[The Ballon d'Or award ceremony is at the end of the year, it's still early.]

(End of this chapter)