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

"...The first half of this crucial World Cup quarter-final match has ended."

Argentina and Belgium played to a 0-0 draw in the first half.

Both sides took a halftime break, looking forward to the more crucial 45 minutes of the second half...

Hearing the message from the director being cut off through his in-ear monitor,

Zhan Jun was finally able to take off his headphones and breathe a sigh of relief.

"Would you like some tissues?"

"Thank you, Instructor Zhang."

"Hey! Don't be so polite with me, your back is all soaked."

"Yeah, I thought winters in the Southern Hemisphere wouldn't be so hot, but it's actually comparable to summer in Guangzhou..."

"However, this match was indeed quite intense."

"Yes, Argentina is much tougher to deal with than we imagined."

Zhan Jun was still shaken and couldn't help but worry for the Belgian team.

The first half appeared to be 0-0, with both sides playing cautiously and the game being rather dull.

Compared to the open and fast counter-attacking style against Portugal, the pace of attack and defense transitions on both sides was much faster.

In this match against Argentina, the pace of the game shifted to Argentina's preferred rhythm.

Try to slow down, don't switch between offense and defense too quickly, and proceed gradually.

If Belgium tries to launch a quick attack, they will be contained immediately.

South American players' dirty tricks often disrupt the ball handler's actions.

In addition, Argentina's defensive discipline is strict; apart from Messi who seemed to be taking a stroll, everyone retreated quickly to defend.

This prevented Belgium from launching truly threatening quick counter-attacks.

Each attack into the frontcourt results in a positional battle.

Positional warfare is not Belgium's forte.

De Bruyne's through balls and Hazard's dribbling skills were ineffective.

Fortunately, Lu Xiao had the foresight to replace the equipment template with [Nagi Seishiro] in advance, which allowed him to create one or two threatening shots even when the penalty area was crowded.

Argentina and Belgium each had 4 shots on goal in the first half.

Lu Xiao scored 3 goals, while center forward Lukaku missed one header attempt.

On the Argentine side, although their counter-attacks may seem slow, they can actually advance very quickly when the opportunity arises.

Di Maria's two runs down the left flank nearly scared the entire Belgian team to death.

Messi's unpredictable runs into the box and his unstoppable dribbling into the penalty area were truly breathtaking.

Fortunately, Courtois made several excellent saves, otherwise Argentina would have really stolen the ball.

For Lu Xiao,

It feels like just yesterday we were preparing for the match against Argentina after defeating Portugal.

Suddenly, the 45-minute game was over.

The next 45 minutes will be even more dangerous!

The video footage of him walking towards the locker room shows Lionel Messi not far away.

The King of Coal didn't seem too optimistic either.

He lowered his head, frowning, seemingly lost in thought.

Perhaps noticing Lu Xiao's gaze, Messi turned his head to look at him.

Seeing that it was Lu Xiao,

Messi showed no expression and turned back.

"As expected of Messi, he's just as strong as people say..."

Next to Lu Xiao, Arsenal center-back Vermaelen's back was completely soaked.

His physical condition has clearly declined, and it's evident that he's under immense pressure defending against Messi.

It would take Vertonghen, Witsel, and the other two – all three – working together to stop Messi.

"Didn't you play against Messi before?"

"Huh? No, I never played against Messi at Arsenal. I got injured in 10 and missed almost the entire season. I didn't play against Messi after that... But after the World Cup, I think I'll be joining Barcelona."

"I see."

Lu Xiao realized that she had remembered it wrong.

I always thought Arsenal's "three years with Bayern, five years with Barcelona" strategy meant they had faced Barcelona many times in the Champions League.

Vermaelen should have experience defending against Messi.

In fact, after Vermaelen joined Arsenal in the summer of 2009, he did not face Barcelona until the Champions League Round of 16 in the 2010-2011 season.

As a result, Vermaelen suffered a serious injury that season and was ruled out for the rest of the year.

Mertesacker and Koscielny played in the Champions League.

Vermaelen only had the chance to become Messi's teammate on the field this year after his transfer.

Unfortunately, he couldn't offer any experience in defending against Messi.

Back in the locker room, head coach Wilmots continued to encourage the players.

"Well played, guys. But we still wasted a few clear-cut chances, like you, Romeu..."

"Feel sorry."

The black iron tower Lukaku looks just like a primary school student who has made a mistake.

……

In the 26th minute of the first half, Lu Xiao created an excellent opportunity using the [Nagi Seishiro] template.

After several unsuccessful attacks, Lu Xiao perfectly controlled the ball outside the penalty area, deceiving Mascherano, and his low right-footed shot was saved by the goalkeeper and went out for a corner.

Taking advantage of a corner kick opportunity, De Bruyne and Lu Xiao combined well, sending the ball to the far post.

Lu Xiao controlled the ball with his chest, then flicked it with his toe around the defender.

Almost everyone in Argentina was blocking Lu Xiao's shooting angle.

He is the biggest threat!

As a result, the middle was completely left unmarked, with Lukaku standing unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box!

The goalkeeper wasn't even on guard!

If you pass the ball over there, it's a sure thing, you can score even with your eyes closed.

Even when surrounded like this, Lu Xiao still managed to keep the ball from touching the ground, perfectly juggling it twice to create an angle.

He miraculously passed the ball to Lukaku!

Commentators around the world almost jumped up to celebrate the goal!

Who would have thought that Lukaku wouldn't react in time!

He didn't expect Lu Xiao to actually be able to transmit it!

As a result, Lukaku was too nervous when he took the shot and missed!

The football struck his foot, bounced towards the goalpost, and was then deflected by the goalpost.

Argentine defender Zabaleta makes a last-minute clearance.

This attack made all the Argentine players' legs go weak!

Yellow-skinned East Asian boys are terrifying!

Messi was terrified. After successfully getting out of the situation, he quickly made the sign of the cross on his chest to give thanks to God.

They missed such a dangerous shot; it must be God's blessing on Argentina!

……

In the locker room, Lukaku didn't get scolded too much.

He wasted opportunities, but he can still act as a pivot in positional warfare, which is quite useful tactically, so we really need him on the field.

Head coach Wilmots didn't have any great tactical plans, so he could only encourage the players:

"Don't rush in the second half. Argentina is good at seizing opportunities, and once they do, they strike decisively, giving you no chance to turn the game around."

"Therefore, we must be patient, and even more patient!"

"Even if it goes to extra time, or even to penalties, we just can't let them steal it."

Wilmots could never have imagined that

Back on the field, not long into the second half, his words proved prophetic.

……

"Alright, the second half of the match has begun."

Belgium kicked off first, but now Argentina will kick off.

"In the first half, both sides focused more on tactical maneuvering and defense, and handled the ball very cautiously, resulting in a 0-0 draw."

Neither team made any personnel changes in the second half.

Just in case some fans had just opened the elevator, commentator Zhan Jun still announced the starting lineups for both sides.

Argentina is still using a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Romero;

Defenders: Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi, Basanta;

Midfielders: Mascherano, Biglia, Di Maria;

Forwards: Lavezzi, Higuain, Messi!

「比利时队今天同样变阵为4-3-3阵型，防守时则会回收成4-5-1……

Goalkeeper: Courtois;

Defenders: Alderweireld, Kompany, Vermaelen, Vertonghen;

Midfielders: Witsel, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lu Xiao;

Forward: Lukaku...

Hey!! Let's look at this ball first!

Just as Zhan Jun finished announcing the starting lineup, Argentina launched their attack from the position!

Mascherano suddenly changed tactics, unexpectedly sending out a diagonal pass!

On the right side of the penalty area, Higuain headed the ball across, and Messi received it in the flank, accelerating slightly to get past Witsel.

At the edge of the penalty area, he feigns a move to the right, but actually changes direction and breaks through to the left!

"Oops!"

Vermaelen was careless!

Everyone thought Messi would move to the right, but Messi's most unsolvable tactic is that he doesn't move when the opponent doesn't move.

Feint to make the defender move first!

If you don't make a move, I'll just break through;

If you make a move, I can change direction on the spot!

Seeing Vermaelen extend his leg to the right,

Messi adjusted his position with extremely fast touches, then slightly flicked the ball with his toe to change direction, dribbling past Vermaelen and creating an angle!

Courtois's view was conveniently blocked, and Messi launched a surprise attack!

"grass!!"

By the time Courtois saw the ball flying towards the goal, it was too late.

The 190cm tall man was a fraction of a second slower to fall.

Messi's left-footed low shot had a very tricky curve!

It darted into the net, brushing against the post and Courtois's gloves!

"A steal! Messi! He's scored the first goal of the second half!"

Argentina leads Belgium 1-0!

Zhan Jun and all Chinese fans felt a jolt of fear!

Oh open!

Done!

The game has now shifted into Argentina's rhythm!

The morale of the entire team was low, and their eyes were blank.

Only Lu Xiao's eyes still blazed with fire!