A few minutes later.

During a dead-ball situation.

Li Kang stared at Croatia's backcourt.

In God's-eye view, countless red lines spread wildly.

It had been a long, long time since he had dissected an opponent's defense in a national team match.

Because it was usually unnecessary.

What ways could he use the 'existing resources' at his disposal to directly break through Croatia's midfield barrier?

On the other side.

Modrić was also watching Spain's central defenders.

He and Li Kang were thinking about the same thing.

78th minute of the match.

"Pique's long pass is a mistake."

"Mandžukić's pressure worked."

"The Barcelona center-back has sent a dangerous ball."

Near the center circle, Li Kang was preparing to lift his foot to cushion the ball.

In an instant.

The red lines of God's-eye view madly entangled Croatia's midfield structure.

There was no answer.

But the problem-solving ideas became clearer.

Rakitić quickly approached.

David Silva, sensing something was wrong, moved forward to support.

Modrić slammed his cleats into the turf, instantly accelerating and changing direction, preparing to stretch his foot to intercept the short passing connection between the two Spanish midfielders.

An impeccable preemptive move to strangle the attack.

Unfortunately.

If he had been as slow to react and as dull-witted as Çalhanoğlu, Croatia might have succeeded in stopping the opponent's transition attack.

The next moment.

St. Petersburg erupted in applause.

Li Kang's movements suggested he was going to cushion the ball and pass it to David Silva.

The instant the ball hit the ground.

A touch with the outside of his left foot.

The trajectory deviated.

The local space where David Silva and Modrić were about to contend was completely nullified.

Rakitić, who was closing in, was also blocked by Li Kang's body, creating a blind spot in his vision.

With that turn, Li Kang began to dribble explosively.

"So imaginative."

"An unpredictable stop, a deflected trajectory, instantly dissolving the impending midfield scramble."

"A master!"

"A true master!"

"This is also a huge advantage reflected in the radius of control and ankle strength."

"Looking at the top five European leagues, only Pogba and Li Kang have this kind of top-level talent."

"Modrić and Rakitić are trying their best to chase back."

"Li Kang accelerates towards the left wing!"

Intermittent high-intensity and continuous high-intensity exertion consume a player's stamina differently.

The entire Croatian team quickly fell back to defend.

Li Kang was going to the wing because his midfield teammates couldn't keep up for the time being.

Facing Croatia's five-man trapezoidal defensive line retreating.

Morata used every ounce of strength to sprint down the right flank.

As if telepathically connected.

In the vision of the reverse-footed striker, a golden, brilliant, curly-haired phantom continuously appeared.

Two against five.

Although he often misses open goals, there is no defense on this planet that Morata fears.

Stronger when facing the strong.

"Spain's attack is a bit hopeless. Croatia is fighting too hard, and the coordination of the overall defensive line is also perfect."

"The other teammates can't keep up with Li Kang's rhythm for the moment."

"Lovren looked back to observe Morata's run."

"Li Kang dribbles to the left side of the penalty area, with two Croatian defenders beside him. He continues to dribble towards the baseline."

"Morata accelerates a second time, diagonally cutting into the center!"

"Lovren spotted it, quickly adjusted his defensive direction, and sealed off the near post."

"Vida also cut off the connection between Li Kang and Morata."

"There's no chance..."

"Wow!"

"Morata plants one foot and runs to the far post!"

"Lovren is too late to look back at this time!"

"Or is Morata just seizing the opportunity of Lovren's look back?"

Morata appeared at the most perfect far post position at the most perfect time.

Li Kang, in a close-quarters battle with three Eastern European giants, sent a diagonally lofted pass with a curling arc.

The bizarre micro-arc trajectory made Croatian goalkeeper Subašić unable to resist.

Far post.

Morata gently lifted his foot.

The ball hit the post and rolled into the net.

All the spectators' emotions took a roller coaster ride at the last moment.

Del Bosque finally let go of the fat hand covering his chest at this time.

2:0!!!

Morata excitedly pumped his fist in the air to celebrate, then rushed to Li Kang and gave him a big hug: "Li, I knew you would pass the ball!"

The assist and finish between the two of them finally returned to normal.

"Legendary connection!"

"Another goal!"

"Li Kang and Morata's collaboration created this goal!"

"One broke out of space."

"One ran to the finishing point."

"The Croatian Legion's defense is like a thin piece of paper in the face of their sharp blades."

"The initiation of this attack, um, was orchestrated by Pique!"

"The Matador fleet has already stepped into the World Cup final stage. There is not much time left for the Croatians."

Live broadcast room.

The big screen replayed the entire goal-scoring process.

-

[Damn, Pique made a contribution! His random long pass allowed Li Mingdeng to use the outside of his foot to stop the ball, tricking Modrić and Rakitić!]

-

[The trajectory of the ball stop to unload the force was so magical, directly allowing Spain's advance to skip a layer of "strangling and entanglement." I witnessed a 20-year-old midfield master with my own eyes.]

-

[Putting aside brains, in terms of control radius and ankle strength alone, Li Kang and Pogba are in a league of their own in history.]

-

[If Pogba were here, he would constantly compete and entangle with Modrić, playing 14 one-on-one battles in a single match...]

-

[Croatia's mid-to-front field strength is very strong, but the defense line is just average. Defensive flaws rely entirely on the midfield's running to make up for it. Spain finally seized an opportunity to tear apart their midfield barrier.]

-

[I thought this diagonally lofted pass with a curling arc was kicked by De Bruyne.]

-

[Morata's run is so magical, and his speed is fast, and his awareness of reading the defensive line is also super awesome. If he could improve his shooting skills...]

Sideline.

Del Bosque finally started celebrating.

Minaño shouted: "The final, the stage of the final is waiting for us!"

On the other side.

Dalić reviewed the process of the goal they just conceded, and couldn't help but stare blankly in a daze.

That's right.

His players didn't make any mistakes, and all the defensive tendencies were very reasonable.

Unfortunately, the opposing number 6 midfielder was just too strong...

Modrić looked up at the LED scoreboard in the air.

He was not discouraged.

The Croatians regained their high fighting spirit.

These players who have experienced the baptism of war probably possess the most resilient souls on the World Cup stage.

The match resumed.

The Croatian Legion launched a more concise and fierce attack.

Even if they were two goals behind, even if there was little time left, they would use their last strength to rewrite the ending.

The Spanish defense was crumbling.

Except for Li Kang and the substitutes Saúl and Koke, the other Matador players had been tormented to the point of "shedding their skin" in the high-intensity match.

Deformed movements.

Inconsistent offensive and defensive thinking.

At this moment in St. Petersburg Stadium, some people felt that time was passing very slowly, and some people felt that time was passing very quickly.

The final moments of the match.

Modrić resolved Spain's attack in his own half.

The counter-attacking long pass he orchestrated had not yet flown over the center circle.

Like a butterfly that cannot fly across the ocean.

The referee's final whistle had already sounded.

In an instant.

Two kinds of emotions spread wildly in the sky above St. Petersburg.

(End of this chapter)