Chapter 286: Chapter 285: Three Hats
"Let’s congratulate Ibrahimovic, this young player has undoubtedly adapted to the pace of the Premier League in Portugal!"
"Gomes scores a hat trick! Ibrahimovic assists a hat trick, these two strikers are truly second to none!"
"Pinto is already warming up! Benfica fans in the stands at Luz Stadium are now quite confused! The team conceding goals has angered them, but when a former legendary player of the team comes on, they should give him applause."
"Pinto seems quite composed, it looks like he’s prepared for whatever may come."
"The applause has begun! Good on the Benfica fans, they haven’t lost the tradition and dignity of a great club. Even when behind, they still give a warm applause to their once legendary striker."
"There’s also a banner with Pinto’s portrait in the stands, Benfica is a club with heart. Their compassion was greatly debated after the dismissal of Veloso. Coincidentally, Veloso is currently playing for Sporting Lisbon and has been outstanding in the U19 league, a mainstay as a defensive midfielder for the team!"
Ibrahimovic felt a bit regretful, he felt very comfortable playing today, but it was a pity that he was being substituted.
To his surprise, the one Pinto replaced was not him, but Quaresma.
In addition, veteran defensive midfielder Terry replaced Matthaus, Trigella had used up all the substitutions.
Both players had some discomfort from being brought down earlier.
Trigella, between having them continue the game and bringing on new players, chose the latter.
It wasn’t that Trigella thought that the physically declining stars were inferior to ordinary players, but rather he was worried about their injuries.
They were indispensable players for the team after all.
Quaresma: ???
Quaresma: Last season I was still one of the only two core players, and now I’m just an important player?
The eighty-fourth minute.
Ibrahimovic’s continuous pulling on the flank caused huge trouble for Benfica, they were never able to completely limit Ibrahimovic. This was especially true after Ibrahimovic simplified his passing.
Even though it was mostly receiving the ball and passing it back.
But do you dare to let go?
Ibrahimovic’s two previous cuts inside and several crosses had already proven that he was a genuine winger, if you dare to let go, he will dare to break through.
And so, Benfica’s central defense was continuously stretched, even though every hole in their life was patched with sincerity by Maniche, this moment, they still couldn’t evade Deng Kai’s mischief.
Deng Kai launched a no-look through pass.
A straight pass that went past Maniche and two other Benfica players.
If any of them had intercepted it, they could have dealt Sporting Lisbon a fatal counterattack.
But the football just went through.
The more unexpected the route, seemingly dangerous, the safer it actually is.
Beep!
In the penalty area, Ronaldo, who was chasing the ball without it, was brought down.
The main referee once again gave out the yellow card package!
Ronaldo, without any hesitation, sprung up from the spot, holding the football and couldn’t stop showing off his pearly white teeth.
Penalty!
He finally had the chance to take a penalty!
This was especially since this penalty occurred less than ten minutes after Quaresma and Matthaus were substituted off.
At this moment, on the field, the penalty taker... was only him, Cristiano!
Deng Kai approached Ronaldo.
Ronaldo was completely numb.
You can’t be serious, Kai, you...
"Remember to flatten the penalty spot a bit," Deng Kai came over to remind Ronaldo.
It was then that Ronaldo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If Deng Kai really asked for it, Ronaldo would have to give it up, however reluctantly.
Otherwise, he might find it very difficult to get those brilliant passes from me in the future.
He could still do that bit of math.
After that, Ronaldo took the penalty with one kick and scored the penalty he had created himself.
Similarly, having scored twice in the first nineteen minutes, he finally completed his hat-trick.
"Another hat-trick! Ronaldo has also scored three goals!"
"Five to three! It’s decided! Benfica is probably going to lose!"
"Sporting Lisbon passed the test; their momentum is too fierce! The young players Trigella brought in this year have all shown tremendous talent and potential!"
"They’ve officially become contenders for this year’s Portuguese Premier League title!"
After the game, Ronaldo, who completed the hat-trick, Gomes, and Ibrahimovic, who assisted three times, all received the highest ratings of the game.
But the best player of the match was awarded to Ibrahimovic, and it was his first time winning such an award in the Portuguese league.
However, Ronaldo was equally happy because he had overtaken both Jia De’er and Gomes in league goals, and with eleven goals, was temporarily on top of the scorer’s chart!
The reporters also congratulated Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic in no time.
Reporter: "Congratulations, Ronaldo, did you ever imagine you’d top the Portuguese Premier League scorers’ list, even if temporarily?"
Ronaldo: "I never thought about topping it temporarily; I believe I can stay at the top of the scorers’ list!"
The reporter was sweating profusely. A year had passed, and Chris was still as arrogant.
Maybe it’s better to find someone more low-key to interview.
Reporter: "Ibrahimovic, you played wonderfully today, how does it feel to go up against Gomes, the rising number one striker of Portugal? Your performance today was even comparable to his!"
Ibrahimovic: "Today was the first time I fully utilized my strengths, and I am very satisfied with the match. I’m Swedish, not Portuguese, so I know I cannot become Portugal’s number one striker. But by the end of the season, I’ll be the top striker in the Portuguese league!"
The reporter switched off the mic right there.
Amazing!
Does Sporting Lisbon really promote such encouraging education?
Does every player think they’re the best in the world?
Let’s find Quaresma, he’s one with brains.
Reporter: "Quaresma, you’ve scored seven goals and provided five assists in seven Portuguese league games, making you currently the best-performing player in the league. What do you think is the reason for this?"
Quaresma: "Of course, it’s because Barcelona didn’t sign me this summer. Even if they offered double the transfer fee we agreed upon back then, they wouldn’t be able to get me now!"
Crazy!
Everyone on this team is mad.
In the end, the reporter found Deng Kai, mentally prepared because Deng Kai was leading the Portuguese league in assists with eight, and he’s only fifteen!
Reporter: "Deng Kai, how would you evaluate your team? We know you’ve accomplished great things, but at the same time, you’re so young. Do you have the confidence to cope with the complex second half of the season?"
Deng Kai humbly said, "Actually, we’re not performing well enough yet, many players haven’t fully harnessed their strengths, and there’s also a lack of cooperation amongst the teammates."
The reporter nodded repeatedly, finally, a voice of reason.
Deng Kai: "Don’t just look at how many goals Ronaldo is scoring right now; he still has a lot of areas to improve. He has a long way to go before he can become the best goal scorer in the world."
"Ibrahimovic is an ambitious center-forward, an artist of his stature in that position. Next season, or the season after, once we have even better understanding, he might show more potential. By then, I have no doubt he will be a contender for the world’s number one center-forward!"
