The team doctor expressed concern, but this guy had played in the World Cup final with injuries several times more severe than this and had still played as usual, looking perfectly fine.
While the nature of the dark magic was unknown, at this moment, believing in God or the devil was less effective than directly believing in Cao Baiming!
This man always managed to do things in ways that defied logic, bringing about many surprises and miracles, and now, only a miracle could save Arsenal!
The assistant referee on the sideline raised the substitution board high, giving the last substitution slot to Cao Baiming!
As Cao Baiming entered the field, the fans erupted in deafening cheers.
This was the first time they had seen him play in half a month, and it also indirectly proved that Cao Baiming's physical condition was likely not a cause for excessive worry. If he could play in a match normally, the problem should be minor, the fans thought.
Soon, Cao Baiming jogged onto the field and took up his most familiar position.
Arsenal's defensive formation was completely upgraded, solely because of Cao Baiming.
And this was enough, even more than enough. Instantly, the entire defensive line transformed before the opponents, becoming like an impenetrable fortress, a wall a hundred meters high, exuding immense deterrence!
With only five minutes left in the match, Cao Baiming subtly surveyed the field.
It was the opponent's throw-in. Spotting the position and the attention of the surrounding players, he was determined to intercept the ball directly!
Trying to successfully pass to a teammate from a throw-in right under his nose was likely wishful thinking.
Time was precious; there was no time to waste.
As the throw-in was made, Cao Baiming accurately predicted the receiving player. He feigned inattention, but had already locked onto him. The moment the ball left the player's hands, Cao Baiming quickly moved towards him.
He actively sought physical contact!
Cao Baiming's physical strength was already maxed out. The winger, believing he had a height advantage, decided to try something. However, in the next second, he was sent sprawling to the ground.
The referee saw it but paid no heed. He knew Cao Baiming's physical capabilities; he had witnessed countless similar incidents in the Premier League.
After knocking over the overconfident winger, the next step was to simply take the ball from his feet and advance with it!
Instantly, three opposing players in front of him became alert and moved to converge and pressure him.
Cao Baiming's eyes flickered. He weaved past these players, his gaze directly sweeping towards the distant goal.
An estimated forty to fifty meters away!
Supreme Treasure!
Under the gaze of the entire stadium, Cao Baiming suddenly slowed down, ceasing his dribble forward.
The three rushing players saw this and instantly broke out in a cold sweat. They seemed to have understood something!
Cao Baiming was too lazy to dribble anymore!
He was going to shoot directly!
The goalkeeper had no time to prepare; everything happened too suddenly.
But for his own safety, he focused intently on Cao Baiming. The next second, Cao Baiming unleashed a shot!
A loud, dull thud, and then, the ball flew towards the goal!
It was still direct, no need for any feints before shooting. And after shooting, he didn't even need to look. Confidently, he turned back to receive the applause from the audience.
Cao Baiming raised his hands, expecting the fans to erupt in cheers. But the next second, the fans didn't cheer; they were all stunned into silence!
This shot was not just a simple cannonball!
It was a rainbow lob from over forty meters away! The trajectory of the ball seemed to carve a beautiful rainbow shape in the air, hence it was called a rainbow shot!
The goalkeeper had already leaped high, extending his hands as much as possible, yet he couldn't prevent the ball from grazing the crossbar and crashing into the net!
Such a goal was incredibly elegant, beautiful, truly art!
But the difficulty was also immense. Everyone, including the goalkeeper himself, was too shocked to speak. Even coming from Cao Baiming, this was somewhat too outrageous.
A rainbow shot from fifteen meters could be spectacular, even a contender for the Puskas Award at the end of the year. This one from forty meters, with a rapid descent just before the goal, was simply magical to witness.
This sure-goal, as expected, found the back of the net.
In just one minute, Cao Baiming had equalized the score!
This earned the respect of Arteta and all the players!
Was scoring really that simple for him?
Looking at the time now, eighty-seven minutes, with three minutes left until the end of the match!
There was even time for stoppage. If they considered that, could they still manage to take the lead?
At this point, hope was reignited. Why settle for a draw if they could win?
Time became pressing, more pressing than before.
Cao Baiming had no intention of just scoring an equalizer and leaving. That would be too boring. At the very least, he wanted to use his own strength to take the lead.
The opponent's strength was not that great. A double victory wouldn't be difficult, that wasn't asking too much, was it?
After the goal celebration ended, both teams returned to the center circle for the restart.
Crystal Palace was in despair. The feeling of hope being ignited only to be completely extinguished by a bucket of cold water was too cruel.
Cao Baiming had dominated the match.
As they entered the last minute of regular time, at this moment, it seemed everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
In the final seconds, with the score seemingly fixed, everyone thought the match would end in a draw.
At this very moment, Cao Baiming delivered an unexpected aerial pass!
From the cluster of players in the penalty area, he threaded a pass through their waists to Henry's feet. Henry naturally made no unnecessary touches, turning sideways for a scorpion kick!
Like a refracted beam of light, the ball flew with great speed and broke the net!
This time, the goalkeeper was completely unresponsive.
He remained bewildered even after the ball went in, not understanding what had just happened, unable to comprehend it.
In fact, unless they watched the replay, the spectators couldn't even clearly make out what had just happened!
Was that a shot or a pass from Cao Baiming? Was there such a pass?
And even more outrageously, could Henry still score it steadily?
"Astonishing! Who could have foreseen such a plot! In the final moments, a true last-minute winner followed by another! Cao Baiming's assist, Henry's goal, a goal like descending gods!"
"Arsenal makes a dramatic comeback! Four-three seals the victory!"
There was only one minute of stoppage time, leaving Crystal Palace with absolutely no chance.
They were facing a defense that had Cao Baiming!
The match ended!!!