Chapter 58

When Rongguang broke through Anderson, many people in the stands, on the coaching bench, on the substitutes' bench, and in the commentary booth had the same thought: "He should pass! Pass to Luis Fabiano, or to Kaka!"

But Rongguang didn't do that; he continued to surge forward in a straight line.

Then, as he passed through Cleber, he stumbled.

The people who saw this scene instantly split into two camps. One group shouted, "Penalty! That's a foul!" They hoped Rongguang would cleanly and neatly fall to the ground, lying in the penalty area. If he could roll a few times and let out a scream, it would be even better.

The other group exclaimed, "I told you to pass, you idiot!" They thought Rongguang had tripped himself up—a rookie making such a mistake at this moment was quite normal...

But no matter who it was, few would believe that Rongguang would not give up!

Even Godo thought Rongguang was going to fall. Actually, falling and earning a penalty for São Paulo would be quite good.

São Paulo would win the championship with this penalty, and Rongguang, who created the penalty, would also be considered to have performed well.

Everyone would be happy.

But Rongguang didn't fall!

He charged forward again!

"Idiot! What is he thinking?!" Those who hoped Rongguang would fall were both surprised and angry at this scene—how much better it would be if he just fell to the ground! By standing up, the referee wouldn't even be able to give São Paulo a penalty! Do you even know what you're doing? If you waste this offensive opportunity, and São Paulo ends up losing the game... you'll be a sinner!

Even those who thought Rongguang had tripped himself up believed that falling to the ground and faking a penalty would be a good choice.

"Fall! Don't get up! Fall!" Many São Paulo fans in the stands were praying for this.

No one wanted Rongguang to stand up; everyone hoped he would continue to charge forward. The best outcome would be for him to fall right here.

But Rongguang disappointed them. He stubbornly... did not fall. Although he staggered, he continued to run forward!

Just by running, the angle became much smaller.

He had no space to shoot. Was he going to pass?

"Real idiot... forcing himself into a dead end!" Renaldo, sitting on the substitutes' bench, frowned and cursed after seeing this scene. He even turned his head to look at the head coach Oswaldo standing in front of the coaching bench. He wondered if Oswaldo regretted this substitution...

***

Although Rongguang charged forward with great force, the effect of inertia was significant. He overexerted himself. It didn't look like he was running forward on his own, but rather that inertia was carrying him forward. He couldn't control his steps or maintain his balance. If he continued to run, he would definitely fall out of bounds.

Dida had already rushed to the near post, ready to block Rongguang's potential shot, but he didn't think Rongguang could still shoot in this situation—his foot was swinging backward, past his buttocks. His arms were flailing wildly in the air, like a drowning person desperately trying to grab anything around him.

This was not a position to take a shot!

It looked more like a clown performing a farce...

Rongguang knew it would be difficult to maintain his balance for long. He had to shoot quickly, or he would lose the chance.

At this moment, he couldn't follow Coach Rocha's training instructions: first look at the goalkeeper's position, then the ball's position, and then place his supporting foot beside it...

He was lucky to complete the shooting motion!

Before losing his balance, Rongguang finally managed to shoot. He swung his right leg and kicked the ball... in the upper middle part!

Then he lost all balance and fell forward, truly falling this time.

Seeing Rongguang shoot, Dida made a diving save, but he didn't expect the ball to come low, skimming the grass toward him!

He quickly sat down, knowing his hands wouldn't be fast enough. He hoped to block the ball with his legs.

Where it would go, whether it would be deflected to another São Paulo player... he couldn't consider such things now.

He just wanted to block Rongguang's shot!

At 1.95 meters tall, it took him a bit longer to sit down. In that split second, Rongguang's shot had already come flying in!

Then it slipped through the gap between his legs!

A nutmeg!

By the time Dida sat down, he touched nothing but grass. He turned his head and saw the ball cross the goal line, rolling into the net...

He opened his mouth wide, staring in disbelief.

He couldn't believe that, with the near post already covered, the ball had slipped through his legs and into the goal!

***

"Rong! Rong! Rong—GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!" Bueno elongated his voice, and the "Bueno Alert" sounded again over the Pacaembu Stadium.

"Rong! Unbelievable! São Paulo scores again! They've scored two goals in three minutes! Rong's goal has put São Paulo ahead in the aggregate score! 4-3! São Paulo is leading! It's Rong again! It's him! He truly is São Paulo's key player! Always able to step up in the most critical moments and perform beyond his rookie status!" Cafure also shouted. Who would have thought that the game would change so dramatically in the last few minutes?

São Paulo, who had been leading, had their advantage erased by São Paulo in just three minutes!

"Beautiful!" São Paulo's head coach Oswaldo punched the air—his substitution had finally paid off! He had bet right on that rookie!

Those who had been praying for Rongguang to fall and earn a penalty for São Paulo were also stunned.

Rongguang's tenacity exceeded their imagination, and even more so, the fact that he had stumbled and still managed to score a goal!

How did he do it?

Wasn't he a rookie?

How could he break through so many Corinthians players, charge forward, and score from such a tight angle?

Could a rookie who had only been playing football for four months really do all of this?!

The São Paulo and Corinthians players, whether on the field or on the substitutes' bench, were also stunned by this scene.

If he's a rookie, what are we?

***

After a brief silence, the stands erupted with cheers from São Paulo fans and boos from Corinthians fans.

The São Paulo fans who had hoped Rongguang would fall no longer thought about it.

They only cheered for the goal!

No matter what happened before, scoring a goal now was a good thing!

São Paulo was finally leading!

Everyone saw the hope of São Paulo winning the championship—after watching several games with Rongguang, they knew that once São Paulo was leading, with Rongguang on the field, the game would be...

This was the most difficult situation for São Paulo's opponents.

As long as São Paulo was leading, they were one step away from the championship trophy!

***

As the car started and slowly drove out of the stadium's parking lot, Galliani heard a cheer from inside the stadium.

The sound wasn't too loud, indicating it was from the outnumbered São Paulo fans.

Galliani turned to look at the stadium.

São Paulo scored again?

Could it be that young Kaka again?

A brace...

He really needs to keep a close eye on him.

Galliani thought this as the car left the stadium, the cheers gradually fading away until they disappeared.

***

Leonardo stared blankly at the scene, realizing it wasn't Kaka who scored, but that Chinese rookie!

After realizing this, he was relieved that Galliani hadn't stayed to watch a bit longer. What would he think if he saw Rongguang's goal?

Rongguang and Kaka have similar characteristics in some ways.

If he became interested in Rongguang... it wouldn't be good for his efforts to promote Kaka.

So, it's a good thing he didn't see it!

***

Rongguang, still on the ground, turned his head to watch the ball. He saw it slip through Dida's legs and roll into the goal.

He knew he had succeeded!

So, he jumped up from the ground.

As soon as he jumped up, he saw Kaka, who looked surprised in front of the goal.

He deliberately made a muscle-flexing gesture to Kaka: "Did you see that?!"

At this moment, Luis Fabiano had already pounced, hugging Rongguang and preventing him from further taunting Kaka.

"You little guy! That's unbelievable! Were you just lucky?"

Rongguang defended himself: "It's special training! The result of special training!"

Do you know how hard I've worked!

The other São Paulo players also rushed over, surrounding Rongguang.

***

Pereira stood on the sidelines, staring blankly at the São Paulo players celebrating the goal.

In just three minutes, the advantage was almost completely lost.

He couldn't accept this reality.

First, Kaka's long-range shot, then this rookie's breakthrough in front of Corinthians' goal, slicing through their defense and scoring.

His defensive setup was correct, with layers of pressure and strategic depth, making it impossible for Rongguang to break through.

But... the facts were clear. Rongguang had successfully broken through and scored in such tight defense.

What went wrong?

He recalled Rongguang's series of breakthroughs before the goal.

Starting with dodging Vampeta's defense, then breaking through Anderson and Cleber in one go.

Three touches, each with the right distance to allow him to use his speed to get past Corinthians' defenders.

This was completely different from the rookie in the video and the information he had.

In just a few weeks... what had happened to this rookie?

But now, this question was no longer important.

The more pressing issue was that Corinthians' championship was in jeopardy.

With Rongguang and Kaka, two players with sufficient speed, São Paulo loved to play after taking the lead.

They would tighten their defense, leaving only these two fast players in the front to counterattack.

Although Corinthians only needed one more goal, they would have to push forward to put enough pressure on São Paulo.

But once they pushed forward, the gaps behind them would be perfect for Rongguang and Kaka.

Especially Rongguang, who had just come on and was full of energy, making it easy for him to sprint back and forth...

Although there were still fifteen minutes left, Pereira couldn't think of a way to break this deadlock.

He closed his eyes in pain.

That rookie... ruined my plans!