For them, it was the same; they could only carefully watch the first two matches.
Enrique did exactly that. His players were still on the field performing a standard drill of continuous runs and obstacle challenges he had designed, while he himself sat by his computer screen, staring at the footage of Cao Baming's goal.
Enrique's brow was furrowed, and he propped his chin with one hand.
"This person... I really can't think of any good way to deal with him!"
Stopping Cao Baming was not just a goal eagerly sought by all opposing coaches in the World Cup; it was also a goal for the managers in the Premier League.
It was less of a goal and more of a dream, a dream shared by all of them.
Although Enrique had not directly faced Cao Baming, he was naturally aware of the havoc he wreaked in the Premier League; he couldn't *not* be aware.
The entire football world trembled at his emergence, and it had only been a year!
The bad news was that even he couldn't devise a good method to contain Cao Baming, but the good news was that the entire Tangguo team seemed to consist of only Cao Baming as an absolute powerhouse.
As for the others, they were merely at an ordinary league level.
How should they prepare for such a team?
Under intense training, the match drew closer.
Regardless of external debates and arguments, the final resolution would always be found on the battlefield.
Today, the two teams would decide the victor on the field. The winning side would advance directly to the round of sixteen as group leaders, while the losing side might even be eliminated!
Although the probability was low, both sides were fighting for this honor, and honor was priceless.
No one wanted to lose; everyone wanted to be the one who won and shut up the online trolls.
Amidst the passionate roar of the fans, the two teams had arrived at the stadium. The World Cup atmosphere was palpable along the way, and the fans' enthusiasm overflowed, irrepressible.
The sky above was blue, dotted with white clouds. It was a clear day, but the sun occasionally hid behind the clouds.
From the ground, even without actively looking, one could tell when the light suddenly dimmed, only to brighten again a moment later, sometimes with a warm yellow glow.
No one would be foolish enough to stare directly at the sun; it was not only terrible for the eyes but also inherently uncomfortable.
In summer, cloudy weather was truly excellent. In summer, the blazing sun overhead was undoubtedly the devil in people's minds, the most terrifying thing.
The sun was no longer just the sun; it was like a giant furnace, igniting the air. The light it cast, the light falling on one's body, felt like being draped in burning flames.
Ordinary people found it unbearable, let alone football players.
Generally speaking, football was a sport requiring sustained high-intensity movement. Often, players covered more than ten kilometers in a single match.
Ten kilometers – what a terrifying number, and yet it wasn't the limit. In competitions like the World Cup, players' drive would elevate, and covering over fifteen kilometers in a match was not uncommon.
Under such circumstances, the scorching heat would directly lead to exhaustion, making the body more susceptible to fatigue and the risk of heatstroke.
Even with large air conditioners visible on the field, a whole ring of them couldn't compensate for a giant sun; after all, it was the sun.
Only one hour remained until the match began.
The players prepared for their warm-up, while fans were already ready in front of their screens.
The World Cup's biggest dark horse challenging a traditional powerhouse – this spectacle attracted a large number of non-national fans, rendering the simultaneous match happening next door almost unnoticed!
The battle was imminent!
Soon, the major live broadcasts of the match began!
"Welcome, everyone, to the World Cup broadcast! This match is between the Tangguo team and the Dou Liu national team, the final round of the group stage!"
"The winner will advance directly to the round of sixteen as group leaders!"
"Cao Baming, the absolute star player for the Tangguo team, is in the starting lineup for this match!"
"It seems the head coach has finally come to his senses; our matches are incomplete without Cao Baming!"
As the players gradually entered the field, the fans' emotions intensified. Although both teams were unlikely to be eliminated, the outcome of this match still gripped the hearts of every fan.
"Go! Go!"
"Ooooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh!!"
"Take down the opponents! Charge!!!"
...
The enthusiasm of the fans in the stadium seemed poised to overturn the entire arena!
The stands were a riot of color, with fans dancing, cheering loudly, drumming, and waving their jerseys above their heads in ecstatic fervor!
Under this deafening roar, the referee blew the whistle to start the match!
BEEP!
Fati, the forward for the Dou Liu national team, kicked off!
"The match has officially begun! This game is a battle for Tangguo's reputation. If we can successfully overcome this tough opponent, the doubts from the outside world will cease to exist!"
"However, this Dou Liu national team is not to be underestimated; we absolutely must not be complacent!"
As they spoke, the ball moved to the midfield. The Dou Liu team's characteristic style was beautiful possession football, and they began to showcase it from the outset.
After a series of passes, the Tangguo players were unable to dispossess them, requiring anticipation. Every pass found the most secure direction.
However, occasionally, they would send a long ball forward, silently slicing through the defense.
Imperceptibly, within the first minute, the Dou Liu team's passing had already bypassed the Tangguo defense.
The charm of possession football lay in its layered penetration, its gradual dismantling of your defense, so much so that even novices wouldn't notice what was happening or how they were being breached.
Soon, Cao Baming deliberately positioned himself in the path of Gavi's next pass, successfully disrupting the Dou Liu team's possession.
Anticipation? I'm quite good at that!
Cao Baming's eyes gleamed, and he immediately passed the ball to the left wing. In that instant, he had read all possible outcomes, and this was the best choice among them.