Soccer: Maxed-out ball control, the skill is too overpowered.

Xinhua News Agency:

The highly anticipated Brazil World Cup kicked off on the 12th.

Before the match was scheduled to start at 5 p.m. local time, sporadic protests broke out in major Brazilian cities, adding some noise to the event.

However, after the Brazilian team lived up to expectations and defeated Croatia 3-1, people everywhere set off fireworks to celebrate...

People's Daily Online:

Brazil defeated Croatia 3-1 in the opening match of the World Cup;

In the 11th minute, Croatia launched a counter-attack down the left flank. Olic broke through and crossed the ball, which Jelavic missed at the near post. Marcelo inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, marking Brazil's first own goal in the World Cup.

In the 29th minute, Neymar received a brilliant pass from Oscar and fired a low left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area to equalize the score;

In the 71st minute, Fred was slightly pulled down in the penalty area by Lovren, and referee Yuichi Nishimura awarded Brazil a penalty. Neymar converted the penalty to put Brazil ahead...

BBC Sport:

Latin pop star Jennifer Lopez led the performance of the theme song "We Are One," which was watched by over 10 billion viewers worldwide on television.

During the match, Neymar scored twice (including a controversial penalty). His penalty in the 71st minute, which was saved by the Croatian goalkeeper, still went in, highlighting his mental fortitude…

ESPN FC:

Neymar touched the ball 88 times, made 5 successful dribbles, and created 4 scoring opportunities. He was named the best player of the match (9 points).

Brazil's defensive linchpin Thiago Silva contributed 7 clearances and 3 interceptions, thwarting numerous Croatian counter-attacks...

……

Sina.com:

"During Belgium's training session on the 14th, midfielder De Bruyne left the field early due to a right ankle injury, while his teammate Mirallas received treatment by applying an ice pack to his knee."

Head coach Wilmots said the situation wasn't too bad, emphasizing that there was fierce competition within the team and that all the players were eager to play in the first round against Algeria.

This dark horse team, boasting several promising young stars, is highly anticipated by the outside world.

With a total market value exceeding 4 million euros, rising stars such as Hazard, Lukaku, De Bruyne, and Lu Xiao are attracting much attention…

Sky Sports:

"Belgium boasts one of the youngest teams in the World Cup with an average age of 25, featuring top players like Courtois, Kompany, and Hazard, as well as talented players like De Bruyne and Lu Xiao. However, Belgium's lack of experience in major tournaments may be a weakness..."

……

What Lu Xiao found particularly exciting was that

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Belgium was placed in Group H, the final group.

These past few days I've been watching Brazil vs. Croatia, Spain vs. Netherlands, England vs. Italy, and Germany vs. Portugal.

Many exciting matches have ignited Lu Xiao's passion for football.

He really wished he could run onto the field immediately and fight these world football powerhouses for three hundred rounds.

Especially the famous moments of the Dutch team,

Van Persie's breathtaking leap to the top left Lu Xiao completely dumbfounded.

Even with his special abilities, he couldn't head that goal.

It is evident that in a stadium teeming with superstars,

Lu Xiao was not the most outstanding person.

Everyone here is a master; he can only shine on this stage by giving it his all.

The other groups have all played one round of matches, and some groups are even preparing for the second round. It's finally Belgium's turn.

In Group H, Belgium is currently in the top tier due to their FIFA points rankings in recent years.

Their group opponents include Algeria, Russia, and South Korea.

In Belgium's first match against Algeria, Lu Xiao has already learned the starting lineup from the coaching staff, and it is confirmed that he will not be able to start.

As teammates led their caddies into the Mineirão Stadium, they were greeted with thunderous applause from the entire stadium.

Lu Xiao could only sit on the bench with Fellaini and Mertens.

Marouane Fellaini, who fought tooth and nail with Lu Xiao in the Champions League group stage, never imagined that he would become Lu Xiao's teammate.

"Lu, what do you think? I'm feeling a little nervous."

"Nervous even playing against Algeria?"

"Yes, after all, it's our first time participating in the World Cup."

"Speaking of which, you're not even going to be there... they should be the ones who are nervous."

"hateful!"

Fellaini was speechless after being teased by Lu Xiao.

Fellaini was completely outmatched by Lu Xiao on the field, and he couldn't argue with the kid. He really couldn't do anything about him.

With the referee's whistle, Belgium's first match officially began!

As a North African team, Algeria's football has been heavily influenced by France.

Even French football legend Zinedine Zidane holds Algerian citizenship.

Despite appearing to be outmatched by Belgium in both reputation and ability, Algeria actually played with great discipline, retreating deep into their own half while...

The counterattack was organized very smoothly.

Although Belgium controlled more than 70% of possession, they were unable to break through the opponent's solid defense.

In their opening match of the World Cup, both sides played cautiously.

The scene looked rather dull for a moment.

Originally, Chinese fans were mainly interested in Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Germany, England...

Belgium, as a dark horse, doesn't have a large fan base.

When Lu Xiao joined Belgium, and several domestic brands, including LeEco, partnered with the Belgian national team,

More and more fans have taken notice of this "European Red Devils".

Despite Lu Xiao not starting, the match still attracted nearly 100 million fans.

CCTV5 and LeTV also sent their core commentary teams to provide commentary.

"Since it was the first match, neither side made any risky attacking attempts, and the two sides temporarily fought for the ball in the midfield area."

Algeria's defenses are relatively solid, and Belgium doesn't seem to have any good solutions.

De Bruyne controls the ball on the right flank... passes to Dembele, then to Hazard!! Beautiful!!

"Hazard beat two players in a row!! He even tried to kick them himself!!"

"Algerian goalkeeper Mbori makes the save."

"...Algeria's counter-attack!! It was very fast; Belgium was a bit slow to recover!"

"Vertonghen!! Ouch!! He's committed a foul by pulling someone in the penalty area!!"

"A sudden change occurred in the 24th minute of the match. An Algerian foul forced the Belgian defender to commit a foul!"

The referee promptly showed a yellow card and awarded a penalty kick!

He Wei was completely numb, still thinking that Belgium would easily defeat Algeria and surge forward as a dark horse.

Who would have thought that the Belgian team, which was praised to the skies by the European media, would suffer a crushing defeat in their very first match!

Lu Xiao, watching from the bench, frowned deeply.

Vertonghen is a key defender for Tottenham, yet he was outmaneuvered by an unknown striker.

The center-backs also include Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and Bayern Munich's key center-back Robin van Buyten...

Algeria completely overwhelmed their defensive line.

Who could have imagined that?

Courtois was also dumbfounded.

"Fuck!! What the hell, Man?"

Courtois wasn't ready to save a penalty in his first match.

Algeria's number 10 key player, Feghouli, scored with a single shot.

"Goal!! Belgium concedes a goal in the 24th minute, trailing Algeria 0-1!"

"This is the World Cup; any team can pose a threat! We really can't underestimate our opponents!"

"Oh?"

He Wei's eyes lit up, as did all the Chinese fans watching on television.

They saw Chinese faces on the bench.

The director must be a frequent viewer of the Bundesliga, because every time Leverkusen fell behind, he would always focus the close-up shot on Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao often has a magical performance when the team is behind.

"Lu Xiao, at only 17 years old, became the youngest player in this World Cup, but he was not included in the starting lineup for the first match."

If the score remains behind, we might see something like this in the second half—

After a 12-year hiatus, Chinese players have once again appeared on the World Cup stage!