Midfielder Ruler

The fanatical atmosphere at the Fisht Olympic Stadium was reduced to a minimum. Except for the neutral fans who still maintained high emotions, the mood of the fans on both sides was already very uneasy, especially the Portuguese fans.

Of course, the Chinese fans are also a little uneasy, but they believe that hard work pays off and captain Tang Zheng has turned the tide many times, so... the penalty shootout is still the same!

Not long after, the on-site director showed Tang Zheng and Patricio a mirror.

British Sky commentator Andy Gray said: "Although Don has not received professional goalkeeping training, he performed miracles one after another at the end of overtime, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma many times. The shot was rejected. I think he also had an unexpected and amazing performance in the subsequent penalty shootout. It is undeniable that Rui Patricio will crush Tang in terms of position, but... the test at this time It’s more about psychology, I think… the Chinese team has the advantage!”

Commentator Martin Taylor nodded and said: "It's not that we don't have confidence in Portugal, but that Don's performance was so good that we ignored other situations."

The fans sitting in front of the TV also knew that Tang Zheng was invincible when he was in excellent condition, so they basically guessed the outcome of the penalty shootout.

But guessing is one thing, and results are another.

After all, nothing in this world is absolute, and everything is unexpected.

After the referee Sandro Ricci pulled Tang Zheng and Patricio into talking a bunch of useless words, Tang Zheng and Patricio, who were about to take on the important task of winning or losing their teams, shook hands with each other sympathetically.

Tang Zheng and Patricio appeared in front of the TV with different expressions. Tang Zheng was smiling and looked relaxed.

Patricio smiled, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that his smile was forced.

It was clear that the team's lack of confidence rubbed off on goalkeeper Patricio.

Tang Zheng, who beat Cristiano Ronaldo in the penalty shootout, did not choose the usual winning side to kick first, but chose to kick later.

Maybe many people don't understand why Tang Zheng, who won the option, did not give priority to taking penalty kicks, but Tang Zheng's idea is definitely correct, because behind the goal where the penalty kicks are taken is the area where fans of the Chinese 'Dragon Team' fan club gather. First of all, taking penalty kicks is not a good thing.

Tang Zheng and Patricio parted ways at the top of the penalty area. Tang Zheng walked straight to the goal, while Patricio turned to the right and waited outside the right line and baseline of the penalty area.

At the same time, players from both sides stood on one side with the center circle arc as the center, and their teammates put their shoulders on each other.

Portugal's first penalty kick was the physically fit Andre Silva. He pursed his lips and walked towards the penalty area with a heavy look on his face.

"woo woo woo woo--"

The Chinese fans behind the goal began to make deafening boos for Andre Silva, who was about to take the penalty kick.

Although Andre Silva seemed unaffected by the fans in the stands, he was actually in a state of shock.

He was thinking that even captain Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't knock on the door guarded by Tang Zheng, so... was it possible for him?

impossible!

This is the result of feedback from Andre Silva's brain.

But soon he shook his head again and again, pushing away the negative thoughts and rethinking the issues highlighted by head coach Santos.

Tang Zheng is not a professional goalkeeper, and his previous saves had a lot of luck.

The penalty kick is not far from the goal, and the goal is 7.32 meters wide. Even though Tang Zheng is in excellent physical condition, as long as he kicks the penalty kick into an absolute blind corner, it is impossible for Tang Zheng to save it!

Thinking of this, Andre Silva gradually regained his confidence, and a faint smile appeared on his face without much emotion.

Tang Zheng saw the change in Andre Silva's facial expression, but he did not interfere with Andre Silva like most goalkeepers. Instead, he prepared to save and waited for Andre. ·Silva takes a penalty kick.

"This scene has never happened in the past twenty World Cups! Tang Zheng served as the penalty kick goalkeeper as the temporary goalkeeper, but Tang Zheng saved the Chinese team a few minutes ago, and I think it will be the same a few minutes later..."

"Beep~"

Before Howe could finish his words, the referee Sandro Ricci blew his whistle, and Andre Silva raised his right foot after a run-up.

left!

Tang Zheng was like a tiger descending the mountain, his body was like a spring squeezed to the extreme, and he pounced to the left.

※※※

"What a pity!" CCTV 5 commentator He Wei said regretfully: "Tang Zheng made the right decision, but Andre Silva's shooting angle was too tricky."

Andre Silva, who scored the goal, raised his arms and shouted, venting the huge psychological pressure he had been under.

The Portuguese players lined up in the center circle celebrated with high fives. In their opinion, this was a good start.

Andre Silva's penalty kick not only helped the national team take the lead, but more importantly, it proved that Tang Zheng was not invincible!

Tang Zheng, who was shown the broadcast screen, shook his head. He guessed the direction of Andre Silva's penalty kick, but the opponent's angle was tricky...

It seems that we can only wait for the opponent's players to make mistakes in the remaining four rounds.

The first penalty kicker of the Chinese team was Lu Liang, the heart of the frontcourt. Apart from Tang Zheng, he was the first Chinese player to appear in the Champions League final!

"Ouch, ouch, ouch -"

Lu Liang walked towards the penalty area, and the Chinese fans in the stands burst into loud cheers. However, they did not keep shouting. Instead, they stopped after Lu Liang placed the ball, giving Lu Liang a good thinking environment.

Patricio on the goal line bared his teeth and made exaggerated movements from time to time in an attempt to influence Lu Liang, who was taking the penalty kick.

Facts have proved that Lu Liang, as the first player of the Chinese team to take a penalty kick, was well thought out.

Because the first, third and fifth penalty kicks are very important, Lu Liang, the most stable player in the frontcourt of the Chinese team, takes the lead. Zhang Linpeng, who has been quite successful in studying abroad, is ranked third. He has excellent psychological quality and strong ability to withstand pressure. Tang Zheng ranked last.

Lu Liang was unmoved and even more calm in his heart. He used the change of rhythm to trick Patricio into falling to the ground early, and then scored the ball into the other side.

"Beautiful! Lu Liang was very relaxed and the ball went in!"

Howie shouted.

1:1

The total score is 2:2!

The second Portuguese player to take a penalty kick was Quaresma. The Chinese fans at the Fisht Olympic Stadium once again burst into loud boos and enjoyed it.

Previously, Quaresma had a chance to beat the Chinese team, but unfortunately his single-handed shot was blocked by guest goalkeeper Tang Zheng. Chinese fans believed that Tang Zheng had an absolute psychological advantage against Quaresma.

In fact, it is.

Tang Zheng walked towards the goal with a determined look on his face, while Quaresma frowned and seemed unaffected by Andre Silva's penalty kick, appearing to be worried.

"Andre Silva and Lu Liang both hit in the first round of the penalty shootout. The second round became particularly important. Quaresma withstood the pressure and still..." Central 5 commentator He Wei changed his voice: "...or will Tang Zheng reject it? Let's wait and see!"

Quaresma walked to the penalty spot with his head down, picked up the football, put it down, put it down and picked it up again, three times in a row.

Tang Zheng lowered his raised arms, bent his knees slightly, and at the same time lowered his body's center of gravity, like a spring squeezed to the extreme, opened his arms and stared at Quaresma.

Quaresma, who is 34 years old this year, is a solid veteran of Portugal, but he is better because of his rich experience in the game. In the second half of the past overtime, it was also because of his excellent running that helped the team gain an advantage.

It is a pity that Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty kick and his single-handed goal were rejected by Tang Zheng, so Quaresma doesn't know if Tang Zheng will perform well again and save the penalty kick, even if Andre Xi Silva has already taken the lead.

Because... every penalty kick is a new beginning.

Quaresma, who was broadcasting the scene, put the football down and stepped on the support foot with his left foot to see if there was any dent in the place where he was going to step. After making sure it was correct, he stepped back enough distance.

"Beep~"

The boos made by the Chinese fans were deafening, and the referee's whistle sounded.

Quaresma, who retreated to the line of the penalty area, began to run. Tang Zheng stood on tiptoe with his feet back and forth, his eyes fixed on Quaresma's right foot.

right!

Based on Quaresma's preparatory movements before shooting, Tang Zheng quickly came to a conclusion in his mind.

Tang Zheng did not hesitate to pounce on the right side of his body, which was the left side of Quaresma's shot.

At the same time, Quaresma's eyes widened after he completed the shot, with a look of disbelief on his face.

Compared with Andre Silva's 10-point shot, Quaresma's shot was also close to the turf, but the angle was not tricky enough and could only be eight points at most.

Tang Zheng made a very decisive save. Coupled with his height and long arms, his fingertips slightly touched the football.

Just a little rub is enough!

"Quaresma shoots—"

Central 5 commentator He Wei suddenly stood up: "Ouch~ Tang Zheng pounced! He pounced! He turned away Quaresma's penalty kick!"

The football changed its trajectory, and the outer edge of the left goal post on the broadcast screen went out of the baseline.

Tang Zheng completed a roll and climbed up from the grass, facing the passionate Chinese fans and cheering.

"Tang Zheng! Tang Zheng!! Tang Zheng!!!"

The Chinese fans in the stands were completely ignited by Tang Zheng's save and incitement, and they couldn't help but roar.

The entire Fisht Olympic Stadium was full of Chinese fans cheering for Tang Zheng, while the Portuguese fans were silent.

A guest goalkeeper saved penalties from Cristiano Ronaldo and Quaresma in quick succession, what else could they say?

However, the excitement of the Chinese fans did not last long. The young Zhang Yuzhen was unable to withstand the pressure in the fanatical atmosphere. His penalty kick was so tricky that it rubbed the outside edge of the right goal post and went out of the baseline.

"The football missed the post! The score is still 1:1!"

shouted Fernandez, commentator on Portugal's national sports TV station.

※※※

Portugal's third player to play is William Carvalho, the most stable midfielder in the Portuguese team. He has very practical skills with his feet, the ability to read the game and a calm heart.

Arranging him for the third penalty to stabilize the morale of the army is enough to show that head coach Santos takes a fancy to him.

William Carvalho was completely unaffected by Quaresma's missed penalty and kept a straight face until he fired the ball into the top left corner of the goal.

Tang Zheng, who once again guessed the direction of the penalty kick, shook his head helplessly. William Carvalho's penalty kick was really impeccable and there was nothing he could do.

However, Tang Zheng did not feel confused. For Portugal's three penalty kicks, he guessed the direction of the shot based on the opponent's preparations for shooting and saved one of them. He believed... As long as one more penalty kick was saved in the last two rounds, the team would win. The probability is extremely high!

It was Zhang Linpeng who took the third penalty kick on behalf of the Chinese team.

Although his footwork is not very delicate, his mental quality is outstanding enough.

After all, penalty kicks pay more attention to the players' outstanding psychological quality.

Zhang Linpeng was not affected by Zhang Yuzhen's missed penalty kick. Like William Carvalho, he did not pay attention to Patricio's movements and shot directly.

Even though Patricio guessed the right direction, Zhang Linpeng's powerful and heavy shot seemed half a beat too slow, and the ball hit the net.

"The ball was scored! The Chinese team equalized the score! 2:2!!"

Huge cheers from Chinese fans rang out in the stands, and CCTV 5 commentator He Wei let out a sigh of relief.

After three rounds of penalty kicks, both sides missed one each, so the fourth penalty became particularly important. The frenetic atmosphere at Fisht Olympic Stadium became a little more tense.

The fourth Portuguese player to take a penalty kick was left back Guerrero, who walked towards the penalty area with the blessings of all Portuguese people.

Guerrero, who was calm on the surface, was actually worried inside. Tang Zheng made only one of his three saves successfully, but all three saves were in the right direction, so Guerrero kept hinting to himself that he must try his best to kick the penalty kick into the absolute dead corner.

However, being too nervous often leads to abnormal performance. Faced with overwhelming boos and pressure, Guerrero's penalty kick was weak. Tang Zheng, who was guessed in the wrong direction, firmly grasped the ball in his hands.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... Tang Zheng directly caught Guerrero's penalty!" He Wei shouted almost crazy: "If the fourth player of the Chinese team can take the penalty kick, we will lead the score for the first time! "

"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"

The fanatical atmosphere of the game put tremendous pressure on Patricio, who was walking towards the goal. He didn't know whether he could save the Chinese team's fourth penalty kick.

Commentator Xu Yang continued: "The fourth penalty kicker of the Chinese team is Li Kui, who has performed very stably in this World Cup. His psychological quality is super strong and he is not like a U23 player at all. I think... he can definitely do it. Help the Chinese team score a penalty kick!"

Patricio repeated his old trick. Standing on the goal line, he transformed into an octopus and danced around, trying to interfere with Li Kui.

Facts have proved that Li Kui has outstanding psychological quality. He was nicknamed "Aghost" by the fans. In addition to his impeccable defense, he is actually also very good at footwork.

Under the boos of the Portuguese fans, Li Kui performed normally. Like Lu Liang, he used the change in rhythm to force Patricio to make the first save, and then kicked the ball in the opposite direction of Patricio's save.

3:2! !

The Chinese team gets the match point!

Immediately, the broadcast screen showed Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

If nothing else, Cristiano Ronaldo will take Portugal's fifth penalty kick.

Once a penalty kick is not scored, the penalty shootout will end early...

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