Chapter 819: Intense Battle

Chapter 819: Intense Battle

Compared to the cautious Chinese team, the French team is more daring. Despite being ahead and then equalized, they continue to adopt an aggressive strategy.

Mbappe is active on the wings. Unable to break through after receiving a pass from Matuidi, he passes horizontally to Giroud at the edge of the penalty area.

The French striker protects the ball with his back to the attacking defensive line, resisting Zhang Fanlin's interference. It's clear that the Chinese defenders are at a disadvantage in one-on-one situations, but their teammates are rushing to provide support. Updated chapters at novelhall.com

At this moment, Mbappe makes a diagonal run into the penalty area. Giroud then exerts force to push Zhang Fanlin away and sends a lob pass.

Mbappe stretches out his right foot to control the ball, smoothly pulling it to the left foot area, and then directly shoots.

"Kylian shoots!"

The ball flies straight towards the far post, and goalkeeper Wang Xianghe, concentrating intensely, leaps to save it, using his fingertips to push it out for a corner.

"A world-class save, just a little bit short!" The French TV commentator couldn't help but express regret. "Kylian's performance in this game is truly outstanding. Several threatening attacks from the team were created by him."

"If he can continue like this, I believe we will be the ones lifting the World Cup in the end!"

Seeing Mbappe's shot saved, Zheng Zhi's tense heart relaxes slightly. He shouts loudly to his defensive teammates, "Mark him closely, don't let him easily enter the penalty area for shooting opportunities!"

As an experienced veteran of the national team, Zheng Zhi's authority within the team is second only to Wang Feng. He often takes the time to guide and care for young players, so everyone trusts him.

The French team wins a corner kick. Fernandes delivers it into the penalty area. Wang Feng returns to defend, positioning himself well, and heads the ball clear in the chaos, sending it to the edge of the arc where Huang Hu is waiting.

Originally facing his own goal, Huang Hu extends his right foot to control the incoming ball, stopping it while completing a turn to face the attacking direction.

He's thinking about what to do next, whether to pass horizontally to Feng Miao to organize or wait for the formation to spread out. But then he hears a shout from behind, "Go!"

"I dare say that if you put most of the current attacking players from the football world in Wang Feng's position, they wouldn't be able to score such a beautiful goal. Most likely, it would be either a high shot or a miss."

Watching the enthusiastic celebration of the Chinese players, Deschamps rubs his sore eyebrows, urgently calling his players over for a brief reminder, especially Mbappe.

"Kylian, I know you're in good shape, but I want you to do more, pulling the defense and helping your teammates. Victory is more important than anything else!"

Mbappe nods vigorously. Sometimes he does indeed desire to score, but forcing a shot would only waste excellent opportunities.

More importantly, the Chinese team is more difficult to deal with than they imagined. Their defense is tight, and on the offensive end, it's not just Wang Feng who's making an impact.

As time gradually approaches the end of the first half, the French team's attacks come in waves. After conceding a goal, their immediate counter-pressing and interception are extremely resolute. For over ten minutes, the Chinese team hasn't been able to launch another attack.

The atmosphere in the stadium is so tense that even the local fans almost forget to make noise. They clutch their chests, unable to calm their pounding hearts. The tension is at its peak.

The players also grit their teeth and persevere, as long as they can maintain their lead going into halftime, they'll have a more relaxed mentality for the second half.

However, things often don't go as planned. Under high-intensity confrontation, the physical stamina of the Chinese team is somewhat lacking. They can't match the French team's relentless pressure.

"Mbappe quickly starts, successfully avoiding the offside trap and getting the ball inside the penalty area. Is he going to shoot?"

"No, he passes it to the front, Giroud! Giroud shoots! It's a goal!"

"Giroud helps the French team equalize! Both Chinese defenders were marking Mbappe, so if he had shot directly like before, his chances would've been slim."

"Unexpectedly, the Frenchman sends a triangle pass back, the player marking the center failed to keep up, allowing Giroud to get a shooting opportunity. What a pity."

"All right, after a period of intense struggle, the main referee blows the whistle for the end of the first half. The situation can be described as fluctuating."

"The current score is 2-2, with the French team breaking the deadlock first. Then, the Chinese team quickly turned the tide with two counterattack opportunities, led by Wang Feng. Just before halftime, France used their physical advantage to equalize."

"Overall, the performance of the Chinese team in the first half is surprising, but their physical condition is indeed a major disadvantage. Hopefully, during halftime, coach Lippi can provide some guidance and adjustments to the team, allowing them to make up for it in the second half."