After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

Madrid, Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Today is the final match of the 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League season.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final! Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain!" From the commentary booth, Zhan Jun's voice, coming through the microphone, carried an irrepressible excitement and a touch of historical weight.

"A clash of titans! An all-English battle! Arsenal vs. Liverpool! The Gunners and the Reds, after many years, fight once again for the glory of the pinnacle of European football!"

His partner, Zhang Lu, chimed in, speaking a few beats faster than usual.

"That's right! The last time Arsenal reached the Champions League final was in 2006. I still remember that game very well. It was a rainy night in Paris, and Arsenal narrowly lost."

Liverpool, Klopp's iron-willed Red Army, need no further explanation about their desire for this Champions League trophy, not to mention that their opponents are Arsenal and Yan Yuan!

As we all know, in last season's Champions League qualifiers, it was Yan Yuan, who was still at Hoffenheim at the time, who scored a stunning long-range shot that kept Liverpool out of the Champions League group stage!

Now, just one year later, the two sides have met again on the final stage! This fate, this sense of destiny, has already etched this final into history before it even begins! Liverpool's attacking power today will likely be largely focused on Yan Yuan!

The camera pans across the players' tunnel.

Today, both teams are wearing their home jerseys.

Yan Yuan stood at the very front of the Arsenal team, wearing a red and white jersey with the number 7 and the captain's armband.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze calmly sweeping across the noisy stands, finally settling on the familiar Liverpool players opposite him.

Salah, Van Dijk, Mane...

When the camera zooms in on Yan Yuan.

He gently patted the team crest on his chest, a subtle gesture captured by the camera, which triggered a deafening roar from the Arsenal fans in the stands.

"YAN! YAN! YAN!"

On the sidelines, the expressions of the two head coaches were in stark contrast.

Wenger was still dressed in a sharp suit and red tie, his hands in his pockets, his expression focused and serious, staring intently at the field, his lips moving slightly as if he were silently reciting tactical points.

On the other side, Klopp also sported his usual baseball cap rock-and-roll look.

He was chewing gum while keeping a close eye on Yan Yuan.

This guy kicked them out of the Champions League last season.

"Beep—!"

Liverpool unleashed incredible energy from the very first second.

"Liverpool's start was too fierce! A typical Klopp-style start, they just want to catch you off guard with high pressure!" Zhan Jun said quickly.

Arsenal's defense held firm after the initial turmoil.

The experienced Pepe, like a rock, formed a barrier in the middle with Monreal.

Liverpool launched a quick counter-attack, with Salah attempting a link-up play with Mane. The ball was traveling at incredible speed and looked poised to penetrate the flank.

Left-back Cancelo made a ghostly dash from the side, intercepting the ball with a precise and clean sliding tackle.

His clean and efficient movements drew cheers from Arsenal fans.

"Cancelo made a crucial clearance! That was a beautiful interception! Arsenal withstood Liverpool's early pressing!" Zhang Lu added.

With the pressure eased slightly, Arsenal began to try to organize an attack.

Liverpool left-back Robertson made a bold forward run, attempting to combine with Mane.

Yan Yuan keenly spotted the opening in the backcourt.

He made a high-speed recovery run and, the moment Robertson received the ball, delivered a swift and precise poking pass.

The ball was cleanly and neatly stolen from Robertson's feet.

"Yan Yuan tracked back and intercepted the ball! His positioning is amazing! And his timing was perfect; he stole the ball from Robertson's feet!"

Yan Yuan did not pause after intercepting the ball.

The moment he looked up to observe,

Time seemed to slow down.

He saw Lacazette and Odegaard starting their run ahead, and he also saw the route Liverpool's midfielders were taking in.

Yan Yuan didn't choose to kick the ball long, but instead used a light tap to get past Fabinho, first avoiding Fabinho's challenge.

Immediately after, he passed Fabinho and delivered a long pass with just the right power and curve using the outside of his right foot.

The ball seemed to have eyes, bypassing Liverpool's midfield defense and accurately finding Lacazette making a high-speed run down the left flank.

"Yan Yuan! Beautiful breakaway! Long pass with the outside of his foot! He found Lacazette! Arsenal's counter-attack opportunity has arrived!" Zhan Jun exclaimed.

Lacazette received the ball and cut inside.

He executed a quick wall-running maneuver with Odegaard, who was providing support in the mid lane.

Odegaard attempted a through ball to the advancing Aubameyang, but the ball was intercepted by Henderson, who had tracked back to defend.

Although the attack failed, the quick counter-attack initiated by Yan Yuan, who intercepted the ball in the backfield, orchestrated the play, and launched a precise long pass, was executed flawlessly and ignited the passion of Arsenal fans, even prompting Wenger to nod slightly on the sidelines.

Yan Yuan's counterattack strategy was very clear, and this attack was the best example of it.

"What a pity! Henderson's crucial interception! But this counter-attack was really well done! Yan Yuan is the absolute linchpin of the team in the transition from defense to offense. His vision and overall understanding are simply incredible at his age!" Zhang Lu exclaimed.

The pace of the game accelerated amid intense competition between the two sides.

Liverpool's pressing remained fierce, while Arsenal relied on Rodri's orchestration in midfield and Yan Yuan's support on the right flank to try and keep possession and create opportunities.

Time ticked by, and the two sides engaged in a fierce battle in the midfield.

In the 16th minute, Arsenal patiently passed the ball through the middle, and Rodri passed it to Ødegaard, who had dropped back to receive it.

Facing Fabinho's close marking, the Norwegian prodigy didn't try to force his way through, but instead gently passed the ball back to Lacazette on the wing.

Lacazette understood perfectly and didn't stop the ball.

With a simple backheel flick, the ball miraculously slipped through the gap in Liverpool's midfield and returned to the feet of the advancing Odegaard.

A beautiful wall-hitting combination.

"Odegaard passed to Lacazette! One-two! Beautiful! Odegaard is already inside the penalty area!" Zhan Jun said.

Odegaard is positioned on the left side of the penalty arc.

About 25 yards from the goal, facing Van Dijk who was coming to cover, he took a step, supported himself with his right foot, and unleashed a powerful shot with the back of his left foot.

The ball whistled as it headed straight for the top right corner of the goal.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson reacts with lightning speed!

He lunged to the side, his body fully extended, and with a powerful flick of his fingertips, he deflected the ball, slightly changing its direction.

With a loud "bang!", it slammed heavily onto the left pillar!

A huge sigh erupted throughout the stadium!

"The pillar! Alisson lunged! He hit the pillar! Oops! Just a hair's breadth away!"

Just when everyone, including the fallen Alisson, Matip who was trying to clear the ball, and the Liverpool players who were tracking back, thought the crisis was temporarily over.

A red figure, like an arrow released from a bow, cut inside at high speed from outside the penalty area on the right wing.

Yan Yuan seemed to have a premonition of where the ball would land.

The attack started the moment Odegaard took the shot!

He rushed to the left side of the penalty area ahead of everyone else.

That's exactly where the ball bounced off the post and back.

That's also where the Liverpool players are heading.

When Alisson saw number 7 coming, he quickly propped himself up and even slipped a little, and rushed to chase the ball.

"Alisson's nerves had only relaxed for a second when Yan Yuan rushed over the next second. Alison even slipped a little," Zhang Lu said.

Alisson didn't even have time to get into a standard defensive stance.

Yan Yuan has arrived.

The ball bounced off the ground, and the height was just right!

Yan Yuan leaned slightly to the side and lashed out his right leg with all his might, like a whip!

The instep, pointed out, struck the ball squarely in the lower middle part!

"Bang—!"

The ball flew past Alisson, who had just gotten up and was not yet on his feet, and Alisson who had jumped to block the shot, at a speed that was almost impossible to see with the naked eye!

It slammed into the net!

The net trembled violently!

"Goal!!!! Yan Yuan!!!!!!!!!!" Zhan Jun's voice instantly rose eight octaves, filled with disbelief.

"A superhuman, lightning-fast follow-up shot! Yan Yuan! He appeared in the most dangerous position at the most crucial moment! A stunning volley! Alisson wasn't even fully in position yet! 1-0! Arsenal take the lead! From their 19-year-old captain!"

After scoring, Yan Yuan didn't pause at all. He spread his arms and sprinted towards the corner flag.

Amid the frenzied shouts of tens of thousands of gun fans, he knelt down, leaving a long trail on the grass.

He clenched his fists and roared to the sky.

His black hair flew in the night wind, and his young face was filled with excitement and release.

His teammates flocked to him to celebrate.

"It's Yan Yuan again! A year ago he eliminated Liverpool, and a year later, he opened the scoring in the Champions League final here! This rebound shot, the power, the angle, the timing, it's all impeccable! This is genius! This is a big-game player!" Zhang Lu said excitedly.

On the sidelines, Professor Wenger finally relaxed his clenched fists, a relieved yet restrained smile appearing on his face, and he clapped softly.

On the other side, Klopp angrily swung his arms and roared at the field, clearly very dissatisfied with the team's secondary protection after defending set pieces.

Yan Yuan was pulled up by his teammates. He patted the team badge on his chest and shouted towards the stands.

"For arsenal!!!!"

This shout, recorded live, was clearly transmitted throughout the world.

However, Liverpool, this indomitable Red Army, will not surrender easily.

After conceding the goal, their eyes became even more fierce, and their counterattack came faster and more fiercely than expected!

In the 21st minute, Liverpool won a corner kick on the right.

Arnold stood at the corner flag, took a deep breath, and observed the situation inside the penalty area.

He took a run-up and kicked the ball! The ball drew a fast, flat arc, flying straight to the near post!

In the crowd, a tall figure stood out from the crowd.

Virgil van Dijk, starting early, leaps high.

He outjumped Monreal and Pepe, although Pepe's takeoff height was slightly lower than Van Dijk's.

Van Dijk unleashed a powerful header!

The ball slammed into the near corner of the goal like a heavy hammer!

"Van Dijk! Header! Danger!"

Arsenal goalkeeper Roberto Martinez reacted with lightning speed! Almost instinctively, he dove to the side and made a spectacular save with one hand! A brilliant save!

"Martin! A phenomenal save! He saved Van Dijk's close-range header!"

However, the crisis was not over! The ball, which had been saved, did not fly far and landed right near the edge of the six-yard box.

Amidst the chaotic crowd, a red figure appeared like a ghost.

Roberto Firmino.

He had already shaken off Ramsey's entanglement and, before anyone could react, gently poked her with his toe!

The ball skimmed along the grass, slipped through the gaps in the crowd, and rolled into the empty net.

Martinez was still lying on the ground, beyond reach.

Firmino scores on the rebound! Goal!!!! 1-1! Liverpool equalizes in a flash!!

This is Firmino's answer ball!!! He responded to Arsenal in the same way, and to Yan Yuan as well. Both Yan Yuan's and Firmino's goals were rebound goals!!!

Klopp celebrated excitedly on the sidelines, as if he wanted to vent all his frustration from just now.

The stands erupted in cheers as red flags waved wildly.

The Arsenal players were somewhat frustrated, while Yan Yuan clapped his hands and loudly encouraged his teammates.

After the score was tied, the game entered a more intense phase.

The battle between the two sides in midfield was almost fierce.

Henderson and Fabinho, forming a midfield meat grinder for Liverpool, constantly caused problems for Arsenal's passing game.

Ramsey and Rhodes felt immense pressure.

At this moment, Yan Yuan once again demonstrated his responsibility as captain and his comprehensive abilities.

He frequently dropped back to midfield, and even ventured deep into the defensive midfield position to provide defensive support.

In the 32nd minute, Liverpool made a quick pass, and Henderson tried to pass the ball to Fabinho who was making a forward run. Yan Yuan anticipated this and made a precise sliding tackle to clear the ball out of bounds.

"Yan Yuan tracked back to a very deep position and intercepted Henderson's pass. He's an all-around and great midfielder!" Zhan Jun said.

In the 36th minute, Fabinho received the ball in midfield and looked towards the front. Rodri immediately stepped up to mark him closely and blocked his position with his body, forcing Fabinho to pass the ball back.

Rodri also put pressure on Liverpool.

"That's what makes Arsenal's young guys so great. Arsenal has a competent young captain and a group of competent young players. The eleven players are very well integrated. I think that's the key reason why they were able to reach the final this season," Zhang Lu commented.

"Yes, Coach Zhang, and have you noticed that Yan Yuan never seems to throw up his hands during the game? Whether it's his teammates losing the ball or his own attack failing, he never complains, he doesn't have a single bit of negative energy." Zhan Jun discovered a characteristic of Yan Yuan.

It's common for star players to throw their hands up and complain after conceding a goal.

Especially the team captain.

But Yan Yuan didn't do that. Throwing your hand away is meaningless for winning. Instead of shrug, you should quickly plan the next counterattack.

Next, on the offensive end, the partnership between Yan Yuan and right-back Achraf Hakimi became Arsenal's most lethal weapon.

The two worked together seamlessly.

In the 38th minute, Ashraf intercepted the ball in the backfield and made a long pass to Yan Yuan.

Yan Yuan received the ball with his back to goal on the right flank. Facing Robertson's defense, he first used his body to hold off his opponent, then executed a skillful pull-back turn.

It instantly wiped out Robertson!

After shaking off his defender, Yan Yuan dribbled forward at high speed! Van Dijk had no choice but to come over to cover.

Facing a world-class center-back, Yan Yuan showed no fear whatsoever.

He first feigned cutting inside, then suddenly changed his rhythm, gently flicking the ball with the outside of his right foot and accelerating down the wing.

Despite his experience, Van Dijk was still shaken off by the sudden change of direction.

Van Dijk was clearly preoccupied.

He still harbored the trauma of being knocked down and forced to do the splits by Yan Yuan.

Hesitation will defeat.

"Yan Yuan has gotten past Van Dijk! Van Dijk seemed a bit hesitant just now, and Yan Yuan has already reached the bottom!" Zhan Jun shouted.

Yan Yuan glanced up at the penalty area and delivered a precise low cross with his right foot.

The ball was fast and quick, bypassing the defenders at the near post and finding Aubameyang making a run into the middle.

Aubameyang leaped high and headed the ball towards the goal!

But it's a bit of a pity.

The ball grazed the outside of the right post and flew out of bounds.

The difference is minuscule.

"Oh no! Just a little bit off! Aubameyang's header went just wide! Yan Yuan's pass was so beautiful, from getting past Robertson to getting past Van Dijk, and then to the precise cross, it was all done in one go!!" Zhang Lu said with a mix of regret and admiration.

A few minutes later, Yan Yuan once again created a threat on the right flank.

He executed a one-two pass with Odegaard and cut into the penalty area.

He chose to shoot directly from a very tight angle.

The ball struck with great force, heading straight for the near corner. Alisson, highly focused, punched the ball away with both fists.

"Yan Yuan shoots from a tight angle! Alisson makes a save but fumbles... Luckily, he reacts quickly and catches the ball!" Zhan Jun breathed a sigh of relief; his team was still very strong.

Liverpool is not without a chance.

Salah used his individual skill to break past Achraf on the left wing and cut inside into the penalty area.

He created space and curled a shot with his left foot into the far corner.

But just as he was about to kick the ball, Cancelo, who had been tracking back, managed to extend his leg to interfere, and the ball, spinning, went far wide of the goal.

"Salah cuts inside and shoots! But he goes wide! Cancelo's interference works! Both sides are having a great attacking battle!" Zhan Jun exclaimed.

As the first half drew to a close, both sides were showing signs of fatigue, but the competition remained intense.

Yan Yuan was knocked down by Fabinho during a scramble for the ball, but he quickly got up and indicated that he was fine.

In stoppage time, Liverpool won a free kick in the attacking third. Arnold took the shot directly, but it hit the wall and bounced out.

"Beep! Beep! Beep—!" Referee Chakir blew the whistle to end the first half.

A tremendous roar erupted at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, a mix of cheers, sighs, and above all, boundless anticipation for the second half.

On the electronic scoreboard: Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool.

The players headed toward the players' tunnel.

Yan Yuan walked in the middle of the team, his jersey soaked with sweat. As he walked, he was talking to Odegaard beside him, his eyes still focused.

Wenger and Klopp also headed towards the locker room, both renowned managers displaying thoughtful expressions.

After 45 minutes of intense fighting, both sides were evenly matched and launched a fierce attack, each scoring a goal.

Whether it's Liverpool or Arsenal.

For both teams.

The intensity of this match was greater than any match they had faced this season.